When a Place of Worship Is Declared “Illegal

When a Place of Worship Is Declared “Illegal

When places of worship can be erased by accusation alone, silence becomes complicity


In Kokta Anandnagar, a modest neighbourhood in Bhopal, Rahmat Masjid had stood for decades, quietly shaping daily life. Men paused their routines to pray, elders whispered words of devotion, and children learned the meaning of community within its walls. For many, it was the one place that still felt safe. That safety vanished the day officials arrived with an order declaring the mosque “illegal.”


The administration claimed the mosque stood on government land and demanded its removal within seven days, warning that demolition costs would be recovered from the committee. This decision followed a complaint by a Hindutva organisation accusing the mosque of encroachment.


The Rahmat Masjid committee presented documents dating back to 1976, issued by local authorities, proving legal ownership. They expected dialogue. Instead, the documents were dismissed as “fake.” “We showed everything we had,” said the Rahmat Masjid committee, their voices heavy with disbelief. No one listened. It felt as if the decision had been made long before they spoke. For the community, this was never just about land—it was about dignity, identity, and belonging. Hindutva leaders described Rahmat Masjid as part of a “land mafia,” a label that cut deep into a community already living under suspicion.


Fear spread quickly. Children and young adults wondered what this meant for their future. Each act of questioning reinforced the dangerous message that Muslim identity itself is conditional, always at risk. Across India, mosques are increasingly questioned, documents dismissed, and complaints from extremist groups treated as authority.


Every scrutiny reminds the community: faith must repeatedly justify itself, even when lawful. This is how pressure works—not always through violence, but through constant denial of existence. Rahmat Masjid is more than a building; it is a witness to decades of devotion, a symbol of resilience, and a place where belonging still feels possible.


The targeting of minority religious institutions, despite clear documentation, signals a deeper erosion of equality and rule of law. Global human rights bodies, defenders of religious freedom, and international institutions must recognize how administrative power is used to marginalize faith communities. The world cannot look away as faith itself is placed on trial.

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