A delegation of eminent Muslims under the leadership of SQR Ilyas, General Secretary Welfare Party of India, gathered at the site of demolished mosque in Mehrauli area of Delhi on 11 April after Friday prayer and laid the foundation stone for rebuilding the Eidgah after resolving the dispute with Mahendar Agarwal, the owner of the farmhouse who is believed to have instigated or demolished the mosque two days earlier.
Many believe that the incident which took place just a day before Lok Sabha polls in Delhi was done to vitiate the communal harmony in the national capital but the sensible and conscious people in the locality instead of fanning the fire played an instrumental role in defusing the anger and now finally the foundation stone has been laid in the presence of eminent Muslim leaders and local religious personalities.
SQR Ilyas criticised the Delhi Waqf Board and has alleged the Board for turning blind eye towards encroachment of the Waqf land. Many believe that the role of Delhi Waqf Board seems dubious and till date no officials from the Waqf board visited the spot.
Later on, Mahendar Agarwal, owner of the farmhouse, considered the compromise formula and signed a document which says that excluding his 2800 yards, the land of Eidgah and graveyard will be fenced and he will also bear the amount required to fence it. Further, Agarwal will also give a 15-ft wide road from his farmhouse to the Eidgah and graveyard.
Imran Khan, president, Muslim Samaj Samiti, had expressed concerns of the local Muslims in a written letter to Delhi Waqf Board, Delhi Police Commissioner, Delhi Municipal Corporation earlier but no follow up was made by any side.
The delegation which was led by SQR Ilyas comprised members of Jamaate-e Islami Hind, Inamur Rahman, social activist Qazi Mohammad Mian and journalist Abdul Bari Masoud.
