The sealing of Jama Masjid Thano in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district has sparked concern among local Muslims, who allege that authorities acted beyond the scope of a court directive and shut down the entire mosque premises instead of a disputed section identified in legal proceedings.
Residents said the court order related only to a 20-by-40-foot portion of the mosque complex. However, officials from the local development authority sealed the full premises, restricting access to the mosque and related facilities used by the community.The action led to tension in the area, with Muslims accusing the administration of exceeding its authority. They alleged that pressure from Hindutva groups, including Bajrang Dal and local Hindu organisations, influenced the operation.
The dispute gained further attention after Bhupesh Joshi, state convener of Kali Sena, visited the site during the sealing process. According to local residents, Joshi told mosque representative Asim Ali to vacate the premises by June 1 and suggested that his organisation would take action if the directive was not followed.
Residents stated that police personnel and administrative officials were present during the exchange. They alleged that no intervention took place despite concerns raised at the site.
The mosque has existed since 1978 and received formal registration in 2017. A room built in 2023 had already been sealed months earlier.