‘NDMC nod must for repair in Jorbagh’
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has directed the Anjuman-e-Haidari not to carry out repair/ renovation of heritage structures in the Jorbagh area without the permission of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has directed the Anjuman-e-Haidari not to carry out repair/ renovation of heritage structures in the Jorbagh area without the permission of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
One of the seven heritage structures in the area — from a list of notified structures in the NDMC area — is the Qanati Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque, rated as that of architectural value II. It is located outside the eastern gate of Karbala ground in Jorbagh.
NCM chairperson Wajahat Habibullah said, “We have asked them to carry out construction/ repair/renovation only with NDMC’s permission. It can also include repairs around the historic graves, but let them (Anjuman) have a written permission from the council.”
Officials of Anjuman-e-Haidari, an organisation under the Shia Wakf Board, had taken the matter to the NCM after the NDMC confiscated certain goods when the Haidari officials tried to carry out repair work at the heritage structure.
Issues like alterations being made to many of these structures, repair works towards historic graves from the area and alleged encroachments on the land on which the Qanati Masjid stand have kept the area constantly in the eye storm. “Once they apply to the NDMC, their proposal will have to be approved by the heritage conservation committee appointed by the Supreme Court,” said an official.
The area is already witness to a dispute between Anjuman and residents in the Delhi High Court over the ownership of land, on which Qanati Masjid stands.