New mosque at Nerul will create communal disharmony, says Cidco

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has opposed a public interest litigation challenging construction of a mosque at Nerul, saying that it would only create communal disharmony.

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has opposed a public interest litigation challenging construction of a mosque at Nerul, saying that it would only create communal disharmony.

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Cidco filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court while replying to a petition filed by Navi Mumbai resident Sumitra Kadu challenging the mosque’s construction on a plot on the ground that a majority of the population in the area was Hindu.

The affidavit filed by Rima Dixit, chief social service officer with Cidco, says that the PIL has been filed with the intention to create communal harmony.

Refuting the petitioner’s claim that there is no minority population in the area, Cidco has said that nearly 7.1 per cent of the population is Muslim.

In 2007, Cidco gave a proposal for the mosque’s construction to the government seeking sanction. The Urban Development Department rejected the proposal saying that it could create law and order problem.

Following a no-objection certificate from commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai, the Urban Development Department reconsidered the proposal and granted sanction for the mosque in 2008.

The UDD imposed a condition that construction could

be undertaken only after

the Home Department approves.

In July 2009, Cidco executed a lease in favour of the Islamic Trust allotting the 1,042 sq m plot for the mosque.

In September 2009, the police commissioner changed his mind and sent a letter to the managing director of Cidco saying if the mosque’s construction was allowed, then there would be opposition from locals and political parties.

The CP asked Cidco to reconsider its decision.

As the proposal is pending with the Home Department, Cidco asked the Trust not to proceed with the construction.