New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) In response to the demolition initiative led by the MCD near the Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid located in the Turkman Gate area, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Malik Motasim Khan, expressed on Wednesday that the issue is presently under judicial review, and until a ruling is made, the authorities ought to show restraint.

In a conversation with IANS, Khan stated, “The fundamental point is that this matter is still with the court. Until a ruling is issued, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other officials should practice patience and restraint.”

Addressing the contention regarding the mosque near Turkman Gate, he noted that Muslims assert that the land is Waqf property, while the government contends it is state land and constitutes encroachment.

“Who will resolve this conflict? Given that the Muslim side has approached the judiciary, all parties must maintain patience,” he remarked.

Khan elaborated that Muslims believe the disputed properties are indeed Waqf land and that they are the legitimate owners, whereas the government insists the land belongs to state authorities.

“This is where the disagreement arises. My inquiry is, what is the issue when the Muslim side has engaged the court? The authorities should have awaited the court's decision,” he added.

He voiced concerns regarding the approach taken during the demolition drive.

“If demolitions are necessary, residents are aware of how much land is associated with the mosque and what might be deemed encroached. There is an evident need for patience in this situation. It can be resolved smoothly, yet the authorities choose to arrive before dawn under curfew-like conditions, deploying numerous bulldozers and trucks. What is the purpose of this? It only instills panic among the populace,” Khan told IANS.

He further noted that when law enforcement arrives in large numbers during the night, it incites fear among the community regarding the potential demolition of their places of worship.

“In such a climate, rumors spread rapidly — whether the mosque itself is being dismantled or merely the encroachments surrounding it. How can the general public comprehend this? The public encompasses individuals from all backgrounds,” he mentioned.

Khan emphasized that such actions should be executed during daylight hours.

“The demolition occurred around 1:30 AM. Furthermore, the authorities ought to have awaited the court's conclusive verdict before initiating any actions,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police apprehended five individuals associated with the stone-pelting incident that transpired during the demolition operation near the mosque, as per officials.

The event took place close to the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in Turkman Gate, near Ramlila Ground, where officials commenced an anti-encroachment operation.

According to MCD officials, the operation aimed to eliminate unauthorized structures from land adjacent to the mosque and surrounding areas, in accordance with the directives issued by the Delhi High Court on November 12, 2025.

The demolition began in the early hours of Wednesday, with a significant presence of civic staff and police personnel. Officials indicated that between 10 and 17 bulldozers were employed as part of the initiative.

As the demolition progressed, numerous residents gathered outside the mosque, chanting slogans and protesting against the action.

The situation escalated when some crowd members attempted to breach police barricades, leading to stone-pelting directed at security personnel. The police responded by deploying tear gas shells to disperse the protesters and curb the unrest.

An FIR has been lodged under sections pertaining to rioting, assault on a government official, and obstruction of a public servant in carrying out their duties.