AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene in the dispute over the historic Race Course Masjid in New Delhi. The issue has drawn attention following an eviction notice issued by the central government’s Land and Development Office (L&DO), raising concerns about the mosque’s future and its legal status.
In a post on X on October 20, Owaisi questioned why the Delhi Waqf Board had not challenged the demolition-related order or taken steps to resolve the dispute. He stated that the mosque had been recorded as a Waqf property in the official gazette in 1977 and argued that the authorities responsible for protecting Waqf properties should have acted.
Owaisi also pointed to the absence of a constituted Delhi Waqf Board since 2023. He argued that the Union Minister should intervene to address the matter and criticised the lack of action by the relevant administrative authorities.
Eviction Notice Raises Concerns
The dispute concerns the Race Course Masjid, a historic place of worship in New Delhi, near the Prime Minister’s official residence. According to reports published on October 20 and 21, the L&DO issued an eviction notice on October 19, directing that the premises be vacated within six days.
The authorities reportedly consider the occupation of the government-owned premises unauthorised. Representatives seeking to protect the mosque, however, have cited its historical significance and its reported inclusion in official Waqf and heritage records.
The competing positions have brought the legal status of the property into focus. The central issue is whether the mosque and the adjoining graveyard are entitled to the protections claimed by the organisations representing them, and how the relevant property and Waqf laws apply to the site.
The final legal position will depend on the applicable records, statutory provisions and any decisions made by the competent authorities or courts.
Owaisi Questions the Waqf Board’s Response
Owaisi said the Delhi Waqf Board had failed to challenge the demolition-related order despite the mosque’s reported Waqf status dating back to 1977. He also referred to the legal concept of “Waqf by user” while arguing that previously recognised properties should receive protection under the applicable law.
His remarks focused on administrative accountability and the responsibility of officials to address disputes involving religious endowments. He questioned why the matter had not been resolved earlier and called on Rijiju to take immediate steps.
These statements represent Owaisi’s position on the dispute. The precise legal implications of the mosque’s registration and the scope of any protection available to the property remain matters that must be assessed against the relevant documents and applicable law.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Seeks Protection
The issue has also prompted intervention efforts by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. According to a statement published on the organisation’s official website, a delegation led by its general secretary, Maulana Muhammad Hakimuddin Qasmi, met Kiren Rijiju on October 19.
The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking protection for the mosque and its adjoining graveyard. It also requested the restoration of access for worshippers and essential services, including electricity and water.
The organisation said its memorandum highlighted the mosque’s historical significance and the records cited in support of its status. It urged the authorities to avoid action that could cause irreversible damage while the legal dispute remained unresolved.
According to the organisation’s account, Rijiju heard the delegation’s concerns and assured its representatives that he would make every possible effort in the matter.
Historical Records and Legal Questions
The mosque’s reported inclusion in the 1977 Delhi Gazette and references to its heritage status have become central to the arguments advanced by those seeking its protection. These records may be relevant to determining the site’s historical and legal status, but their precise effect must be assessed under the applicable laws and official documentation.
The L&DO’s position concerning government land and the claims made by organisations seeking to protect the mosque will need to be considered through the relevant administrative and legal processes.
The dispute also highlights questions about the functioning of the Delhi Waqf Board and the responsibilities of officials in safeguarding properties registered as Waqf. Owaisi has called for ministerial intervention, while Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has sought protection and a resolution that preserves the mosque and adjoining graveyard.
As of October 21, 2026, the matter remains a developing dispute, and the outcome of any further administrative or legal action will determine the next steps. Any claims about the property’s final legal status or the certainty
