A portion of the 185-year-old Noori Masjid in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished on Tuesday following allegations of encroachment.
The action came weeks after the district administration issued a notice, claiming the structure obstructed the widening of the Banda-Bahraich State Highway (SH-13).
The demolished section, reportedly constructed in the last three years, was built over the highway. However, the mosque’s main building remains untouched and intact.
The demolition was carried out under heavy security, with police and Rapid Action Force personnel deployed to the site.
Avinash Tripathi, Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), stated, “The Public Works Department had issued a notice in August to remove the structure, built by encroaching upon the road, for strengthening the road and constructing drains. The mosque committee had assured us of removing the encroachment but failed to act.”
The mosque committee had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking relief, but the demolition proceeded before any resolution.
The incident sparked criticism from the Opposition, with Congress leader Shahnawaz Alam accusing the State government of “selective targeting” of minority communities. “If a structure is 180 years old, mechanisms should exist to protect it. However, such actions are intended to humiliate a particular community, reflecting institutional bias against Muslims,” he said.
The controversy adds to a growing debate on protecting places of worship while balancing development projects.