The Turkman Gate demolition controversy took a sharp turn as Yasub Abbas unleashed a scathing critique, labeling the actions as a blatant attack on mosques. This historic locality in Old Delhi is under siege from anti-encroachment operations, leaving residents reeling from the destruction of longstanding religious landmarks.
In an exclusive interview, Abbas highlighted the pattern of targeting Islamic structures while sparing others. ‘Mosques are being singled out in this so-called cleanup,’ he asserted, pointing to drone footage showing bulldozers approaching prayer sites without warning.
Historical parallels are hard to ignore. The area’s scars from the 1976 demolitions under the Emergency still linger in collective memory. Now, five decades later, the same fault lines are cracking open, with families mourning the loss of not just buildings but symbols of faith.
While civic bodies defend the moves as essential for road widening and fire safety, Abbas demands transparency. He revealed that petitions submitted months ago for regularization went unanswered, fueling suspicions of bias.
Support is pouring in from across the community, with online campaigns trending under #SaveTurkmanGateMosques. Abbas plans to escalate the matter to higher courts, emphasizing the need for equitable urban planning that respects religious diversity.
As Delhi grapples with rapid urbanization, this episode underscores the challenges of balancing progress with cultural sensitivity. Will authorities heed the voices, or will the bulldozers drown them out?