Hyderabad demolition row: MBT alleges mosque razed without notice in Suraram
HYDERABAD: The revenue department demolished a structure in Suraram on April 20, stating it was built on government land, triggering a political controversy after Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) alleged that the building was a mosque and was razed without prior notice.
Police confirmed the demolition was carried out in their presence but denied that the structure had any religious status. “It was not a religious structure. The demolition was carried out since the structure was on government land,” police said.
MBT claims mosque existed, prayers began recently
MBT spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan refuted the police version, stating that the structure was Masjid-e-Syed Maulana located in Sai Baba Nagar, Phase 1. He said the land had been donated by a local resident, Mohammed Jahangir.
“Due to financial hardship, locals had constructed a temporary tin-shed structure, where prayers had begun just 15 days ago,” Khan said in a statement.
He alleged that authorities failed to provide time to remove religious items. “The authorities did not provide any time to remove the prayer mats, copies of the Quran and other essential material, which is deeply insensitive,” he said, demanding immediate reconstruction of the mosque.
Residents’ homes also affected, alleges spokesperson
Khan further claimed that 12 houses belonging to economically weaker residents were also demolished. “They have lived in the area for 15 years. There was no notice provided to them, either,” he said.
He questioned Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over the incident, asking whether he was aware of the demolition. Khan alleged a pattern in the demolition of religious structures since the Congress government assumed power in the state.
