Pakistan Condemns Anti-Encroachment Drive Near Delhi Mosque, Claims Muslim Heritage Under Threat

Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan has reacted strongly to an anti-encroachment operation conducted by the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area of New Delhi. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry described the operation as targeting Muslim heritage and accused India of persecuting minorities.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Pakistani spokesperson Tahir Andrabi alleged that the drive was part of a broader campaign supported by the RSS to intimidate Muslims. He claimed that the operation, conducted early Wednesday morning, threatened centuries-old Muslim cultural, religious, and historical sites. Andrabi also appealed to the United Nations to protect the religious and cultural rights of minorities in India.

MCD and Delhi Police Clarify

Contrary to Pakistan’s claims, MCD officials stated that the mosque itself was not harmed during the operation. The anti-encroachment drive targeted illegal constructions adjacent to the mosque, including a marriage hall, a dispensary, and a two-story compound wall, covering approximately 36,000 square feet. The land belongs to the MCD, and the police were informed prior to the operation.

During the enforcement, some individuals attempted to create unrest by stone-pelting, prompting the police to use force to restore order. The MCD emphasized that the operation was conducted under the directions of the Delhi High Court to remove unauthorized encroachments, and not to damage any religious structure.

The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding heritage sites in urban India and underscores the potential for cross-border narratives to inflame communal tensions.