The Allahabad High Court is set to hear an urgent plea challenging the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department’s (PWD) plan to demolish a portion of the 180-year-old Noori Jama Masjid in Fatehpur’s Lalauli area for road-widening purposes. The petition, filed by the mosque’s Management Committee through advocate Syed Azeem Uddin, seeks immediate intervention to protect the mosque as a heritage site.
“Irreplaceable Heritage” at Stake
The petition highlights the historical and cultural significance of the mosque, describing it as a long-standing religious, cultural, and social hub for the local Muslim community. The petition states:
“Demolishing the Masjid would irreparably harm the local community and the nation’s cultural heritage, as historical structures cannot be restored once destroyed.”
It further argues that the authorities’ inaction in protecting this heritage site violates their duty under the public trust doctrine. Despite multiple representations to the concerned authorities, no action has been taken to prevent the demolition.
Court Urged to Declare Site a Protected Monument
The plea has requested the High Court to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to evaluate the mosque’s historical importance and declare it a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Additionally, the petition has sought a stay on the trespass notice issued by the Uttar Pradesh Government, arguing that the demolition would amount to a “dereliction of statutory duties by the Respondents.”
Community’s Appeal to Preserve Legacy
The mosque, built in the 19th century, is described as a symbol of the community’s shared heritage and cultural preservation. The petition emphasizes that its destruction would leave an indelible void in the area’s history.
The High Court is expected to decide whether the demolition will proceed or if steps will be taken to safeguard the Noori Jama Masjid as part of India’s cultural heritage.
