A centuries-old mosque in Delhi, located near the prime minister's residence, remains standing amid rubble after authorities demolished hundreds of adjacent homes. The demolitions, which occurred on October 7, displaced approximately 717 families who had lived in the Race Course neighborhood for generations. The government stated the homes were built illegally on public land and raised security concerns due to their proximity to military installations.
Residents have been relocated to Savda Ghevra, a colony situated about 31 miles away on the city's outskirts. The move has disrupted their lives, severing connections to their jobs, schools, and established communities. "How can a life built over decades be uprooted and planted somewhere else?" asked Rekha, a widow who lost her domestic work and now faces mobility issues in her new apartment.
Urban researchers note that such displacements disconnect working-class communities from their livelihoods and support networks, leading to income loss and making it difficult to rebuild informal systems. The Delhi government's housing agency, the local municipal council, and the central government's land office did not respond to requests for comment.
Mosque Faces Uncertain Future
While the homes were razed, the mosque and a nearby Hindu temple were left standing. However, their water and electricity supplies were cut off, and access has since been restricted, with worshippers often denied entry. The government claims ownership of the land, but mosque authorities assert it was registered as waqf property in 1977 and is listed as a heritage structure, potentially dating back 300 years.
The Delhi Waqf Board has appealed to authorities for the restoration of services to the mosque and has expressed concerns about its future. Separately, a worshipper has petitioned the Delhi High Court regarding prayer restrictions and fears of potential demolition. The court has scheduled further hearings, with the government agreeing not to take action against the mosque for four weeks while objections are considered.
For those displaced, the struggle is to salvage their lives. Many, like driver Mohammad Wasim, still try to pray at the mosque, sometimes relying on a generator for power. The long commute to new jobs and the loss of informal income sources, such as collecting bottles or selling dried food, have created significant hardship, particularly for women who face increased childcare and safety challenges. The relocation has scattered families, with some sharing cramped apartments and others forced to move separately due to space limitations. Naeem Khan, 63, worries about accessing specialized care for his grandsons with disabilities in the new area, stating, "We have been thrown 20 years backward."
Savda Ghevra, the resettlement colony, was established in 2006 and has gradually developed basic services over time, with an estimated 50,000 residents by the early 2020s. However, for the newly arrived families, the transition from the established neighborhoods of Race Course represents a profound disruption, leaving behind a familiar life for an uncertain future.