A historic mosque, Shahi Masjid, was demolished by the authorities in Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh.

The mosque was reportedly built in the 16th century during the reign of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Sur Empire in India.

The demolition took place in the strong presence of Indian forces.

As per Mohammad Babul Hussain, imam of the mosque, the matter was being heard in the lower court and listed for hearing yesterday (January 16).

He said the demolition was carried out even though the matter was taken to the lower court after Allahabad High Court had dismissed the petition for staying the proposed demolition in August last year.

“We told the officials that the matter is in the lower court but the mosque was still demolished,” he added.

Babul Hussain said they filed an affidavit in the court on January 10 following the demolition.

To save the historic mosque, locals had first gone to the High Court, which in turn asked the petitioners to go to the Civil Court.

“We took the matter to the civil court, which rejected our stay. After this, we went to the lower court where the case is currently going on,” Imam said.

The demolition of the mosque drew varied reactions from netizens on social media.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s former chair of International Water Cooperation Ashok Swain shared a video of the mosque being bulldozed on his official Twitter handle.

Source: Indian media