03-Aug-2012, 04:59 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-Aug-2012, 05:01 PM by Naushirvan.)
The third phase of Delhi Metro's expansion seems to have unearthed a Pandora's box. On July 6,2012, Metro officials at Subhash Park came across the remains of a Mughal-era structure that is being called the Akbarabadi Mosque. It is believed to have been commissioned by Akbarabadi Begum, one of Shajahan's wives. This discovery has generated a zeal for reconstruction of the purported mosque among the local Muslims. An MLA and his supporters managed to construct a qibla wall and offer prayers.True to form, Hindu fundamentalists soon stormed the site, protesting against the construction of a mosque upon what they believed was originally a Hindu temple. The ASI, however, is yet to decide whether the structure was indeed a mosque. Locals believe that the Akbarabadi Masjid was demolished( or 'martyred') by the British in 1857.
The name 'Akbari' mosque is being blown about by every breath of rumor. It evokes images of that other,ill-fated mosque, the Babari Masjid. The saprophytes among us- who love feeding off whatever is dead and decaying in our past- seem to be relishing the situation. The Maulvis,Pandits and Imams have found a new cause in order to remain relevant.
Old Delhi has scores of pressing issues that need to be addressed( civic apathy,lack of sanitation,overpopulation etc.). Remains of an obscure Mughal-era mosque should be the least of its problems. However, religious zeal has a way of perverting the faculties of its votaries. Add to this heady brew a deeply-entrenched sense of paranoia and persecution. A recipe for disaster.
Meanwhile, Metro expansion in the area has been put on hold. The unsightly behemoth of medieval thinking has once again succeeded in bringing real,palpable development to a grinding halt.Let us hope valuable resources do not get tied up in this absurd display of obscurantism and political opportunism.
The name 'Akbari' mosque is being blown about by every breath of rumor. It evokes images of that other,ill-fated mosque, the Babari Masjid. The saprophytes among us- who love feeding off whatever is dead and decaying in our past- seem to be relishing the situation. The Maulvis,Pandits and Imams have found a new cause in order to remain relevant.
Old Delhi has scores of pressing issues that need to be addressed( civic apathy,lack of sanitation,overpopulation etc.). Remains of an obscure Mughal-era mosque should be the least of its problems. However, religious zeal has a way of perverting the faculties of its votaries. Add to this heady brew a deeply-entrenched sense of paranoia and persecution. A recipe for disaster.
Meanwhile, Metro expansion in the area has been put on hold. The unsightly behemoth of medieval thinking has once again succeeded in bringing real,palpable development to a grinding halt.Let us hope valuable resources do not get tied up in this absurd display of obscurantism and political opportunism.
نوشیروان