Saharanpur Mosque Demolition Row Deepens After Well Found Beneath Rubble

The controversy surrounding the demolition of a mosque at the Saharanpur Collectorate in Uttar Pradesh has intensified after a well was discovered beneath the rubble of the demolished structure. Congress MP Imran Masood has strongly criticised the demolition, calling it illegal and accusing the authorities of disregarding the law.

The well was found after debris from the demolished mosque was cleared from the site. Local residents expressed anger over the demolition and claimed that the mosque had existed at the location for several decades.

One resident said he had known of the mosque since 1990 and had offered prayers there on several occasions. Recalling visits to the Collectorate premises during his childhood, he said the structure had long been a familiar part of the area and that a cleric associated with the mosque regularly stayed there.

Residents alleged that the demolition was carried out illegally. They also claimed that the land on which the Collectorate now stands had originally belonged to Muslims and that the mosque had been constructed when the property was under Muslim ownership.

Some residents further claimed that a temple had been constructed on land belonging to Muslims and said the Muslim community had not raised objections over it.

The discovery of the well has added another dimension to the controversy. Residents said wells were historically common at mosques and agricultural properties, particularly during a time when piped water supply and storage tanks were not widely available.

According to locals, water from such wells was traditionally used for ablution before prayers. They maintained that the discovery of a well beneath the demolished structure was therefore not unusual.

Residents also questioned the manner in which the demolition was carried out, arguing that authorities should have first sealed the structure and followed the appropriate legal process before taking further action.

Congress MP Imran Masood questioned whether the law and judicial institutions were being respected and described the situation as a state of lawlessness. He alleged that the demolition had been carried out under political pressure.

Masood said the Congress party was examining the legal aspects of the matter and was prepared to challenge the action through the courts, including approaching the Supreme Court if necessary.

Calling the demolition a black day, the Congress MP accused the authorities of targeting Muslim places of worship and said the party's legal team was working on the case.

He added that senior Congress leaders were expected to visit the area as the party continued preparations for a legal challenge.

Masood said the matter would be pursued through legal channels and maintained that Congress was prepared to contest the case at every level of the judiciary.