Saharanpur, September 5 (Udaipur Kiran) : A mosque located within the Saharanpur Collectorate was demolished by the administration on Saturday, September 5, 2026, amid heavy police presence. The action followed a decision by the district court, which deemed the mosque an illegal structure. Six bulldozers were employed for the demolition.
Ikra Hasan, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party, faced police obstruction at her residence before she could travel to Saharanpur to protest the demolition. She criticized the move as an infringement on democratic rights, questioning whether elected representatives could be barred from meeting with officials.
In a video that surfaced, Hasan engaged in a heated exchange with police officers, who advised her against proceeding with her journey. She expressed her concerns to the authorities, emphasizing that it is a representative’s duty to voice the concerns of their constituents. Hasan asserted that suppressing such voices undermines democracy.
Her mother, former MP Tabassum Hasan, was also present at the residence and condemned the police’s actions, stating that their family would not be intimidated and remained committed to serving the community. After being prevented from reaching Saharanpur, Ikra Hasan reiterated her intent to discuss issues affecting the public with officials, labeling her obstruction as a challenge to the democratic framework.
In response to the demolition, stringent security measures were implemented around the Collectorate and nearby areas, with the deployment of police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Rapid Response Force (RRF) personnel. Access to the mosque’s vicinity was strictly prohibited. Officials maintained that all necessary legal procedures, including notices and appeals, had been completed prior to the demolition.
Shahnawaz Khan, an MLC from the Samajwadi Party, informed reporters that a ruling by the city magistrate on August 17 had declared the mosque illegal, imposing a fine. He noted that a stay had been granted in response to a legal challenge, and the situation had been stable until the recent demolition.
Former MP Haji Fazlur Rahman also questioned the timing of the demolition, stating that the mosque’s representatives were preparing to appeal the district court’s decision when the administration acted.
DIG Abhishek Singh of Saharanpur division clarified that the demolition commenced following the rejection of an appeal by the district court. He insisted that all legal processes had been followed before the decision was made. Rumors of the impending demolition had circulated the night before, prompting a large gathering at the site, which required police intervention to disperse.
The mosque has been a subject of controversy for some time. On February 10, 2025, a complaint was filed by Vikas Tyagi, former state convenor of Bajrang Dal, alleging that the mosque was an illegal construction on government land. Following investigations prompted by the district magistrate, the administration claimed that the construction was indeed on public property.
A petition for action was subsequently filed in the city magistrate’s court, which ruled on July 16, 2026, that the mosque was an illegal structure and ordered its removal, along with a compensation demand of ₹6.41 crores from the occupants, granting them 30 days to comply. The mosque’s representatives challenged this ruling in the district court, which upheld the magistrate’s order on September 2, 2026.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.