Hundreds moved from Delhi mosque settlement as its future remains contested

Hundreds of families have been moved from a settlement around Delhi’s historic Race Course mosque to housing on the city’s outskirts, while access to the mosque remains restricted and its future is being contested in court.

Authorities demolished homes across three settlements on 7 October, saying they stood illegally on government land and posed security concerns because of nearby military installations. About 717 families were relocated to Savda Ghevra, nearly 31 miles away, according to BBC News.

The families had challenged the move in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the distance would disrupt jobs, schooling and community ties. In August, the court allowed the relocation, accepting the government’s security concerns and noting that alternative housing had been provided.

The mosque and a nearby Hindu temple were left standing. But water and electricity to the mosque were cut off on demolition day, and access to its grounds has since been restricted. Worshippers are generally turned away, although some are occasionally admitted. On 29 October, the government told the court it would take no action against the mosque for four weeks while it considered objections from the Delhi Waqf Board. It opposed restoring prayer access, citing safety concerns during demolition work; the worshippers’ lawyer disputed that position. The court declined to intervene and scheduled another hearing for 16 December.

The mosque’s ownership is also disputed. The government says it owns the land, while mosque authorities say the property was registered as waqf in 1977 and is listed as a heritage structure. The Waqf Board says the mosque is nearly 300 years old, although other estimates put its age at 125 to 150 years.

For residents, the move has meant more than a change of address. BBC News reports that some have lost nearby work, face long journeys to their children’s schools or have been separated from relatives because of cramped accommodation. Urban researcher Mukta Naik told the BBC that relocation can sever access to jobs and support networks, leaving families to manage without the help they once relied on.

The Delhi government’s housing agency, the local municipal council and the central government’s land office did not respond to the BBC’s requests for comment. The government has said suitable apartments were not available closer to Race Course and cited schools, dispensaries and transport links in Savda Ghevra as evidence that it could accommodate the families.