New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Gujarat High Court’s order allowing a portion of the 400-year-old Mancha Masjid in Ahmedabad to be cleared for road widening. According to the Court, the partial demolition was justified in the public interest and did not affect religious rights.
Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi clarified that only a section of the vacant land and an adjoining platform would be demolished, leaving the main mosque intact. They mentioned that other structures, including a temple, a commercial building, and a house, were also to be cleared for the city’s development project.
The Bench said that the demolition was limited to a small section of land and a platform, the High Court’s decision remained valid. The Court clarified that the question of whether the site is a waqf property will be decided separately while determining compensation.
Court emphasises public interest
“The case is primarily about property and compensation, not religion,” the Bench mentioned, adding that the road-widening serves the public interest and will benefit the entire city.
Advocate Warisha Farasat, appearing for the Mancha Masjid Trust, argued that the 400-year-old mosque is a heritage site and a registered waqf property. Farasat appealed for the prayer hall to be left untouched, saying the demolition order was unfair and lacked public interest.
The Supreme Court, however, rejected the claims, stating that the mosque structure would not be touched. The Bench highlighted that other properties, a temple, a commercial building, and a house were also being demolished, and added that the project’s goal was to improve the city’s infrastructure. The Court concluded that the petitioners’ issue were primarily about compensation rather than religious freedom.
Built during the Mughal era, the Mancha Masjid is valued as both a religious and cultural landmark among Muslims, serving as a centuries-old place of worship and a reminder of the city’s rich architectural heritage.