Mosque expansion in the Ne Delhi Sparks tension

New Delhi: The tension prevailed in the northeastern Delhi Selampur On a dispute on the expansion of a mosque in the Brahmpuri lane No. 12. More than the Hindu adozes families have put posters of “house for sale”, fearing communal confrontations, especially with a shiv temple located nearby.
Radha Verma, 60, whose house wears the sign ‘Makan Bikau Hai’, reflected on persistent fears. “I remember when the riots broke out here: my daughter -in -law was pregnant and we were terrified. No one should have to live in that kind of fear. Although the expansion of the mosque may seem like a small problem, in a place where tensions intensify quickly, we believe we have to sell our houses and leave it as soon as possible.”
Pandit Shankar had similar feelings. “We have lived here for years, but we don’t want to take risks,” he said. “With Ramzan and Holi approaches, we fear that religious processions become violent as in 2020. The Shiv Temple in lane No. 12 is just 10 steps from the mosque in lane number 13, which are trying to expand to a plot adjacent in lane number 12.
Sushila, 40, said: “These lanes are already too narrow and a larger mosque will only worsen disputes over space.” But the residents of the Muslim majority lane No. 13 defended the expansion of the mosque. “We group money to buy the adjacent plot because the mosque is not large enough for everyone,” said Sahil. “Many people are forced to pray in the streets. They have complained about that, saying that they feel uncomfortable and understandably so. That is why we decided to expand the mosque. The rumors are floating on a new entrance, but that is false: the door existing in the lane number 13 will continue to be the only access.”
Mohammad Anzar, 30, insisted: “We are all very clear about the problem of the entrance and we will not ensure more problems. There will only be an entry, which is the existing one. We do not want our neighbors with whom we have lived for decades go away.”
Some question the legality of the new construction. Vishal, 39, who runs a grocery store at the end of the 12th lane, revealed the concern among the residents: “My family has directed this store for three generations, and we have seen small disputes on balcony extensions, parking problems or simply disputes. Therefore, we fear that even a minor problem can get out of control.”
The police are alert to the situation. A place reported: “The barricades appeared from 10 am to 3 pm on Tuesday and the police closed the lane for a few hours. They removed the barricades when things calmed down. In general, there are peace. Only a few people try to climb the unnecessary tensions.”
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation has apparently hit a stop warning on the site.
Ashish Kumar Mishra, DCP (Northeast), said: “Mateen’s welfare society obtained the approval of MCD for the construction of the mosque, but concerns were raised about a new door in the lane No. 12. The managing agency has agreed not to open it. Taking into account local sensitivities, the construction also stopped and MCD issued a stop warning.” He added: “A subsequently alleged stone complaint that was thrown at the intermediate night from March 2 to 3, but the images and consultations of CCTV did not find corroboration, nor was any PCR call made. No specific formal complaint or irregularities was cited, but police officers are patrolling in the field to ensure that the law and order are maintained.”