Demolition of Ahmedabad’s 400-year-old Mansa Masjid cleared by Gujarat High Court for road-widening. Court rules in public interest despite mosque trust’s objections.
By Qalam Times News Network | Ahmedabad | September 26, 2025
Demolition of a centuries-old mosque in Ahmedabad has been permitted by the Gujarat High Court, paving the way for the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to partially raze the historic Mansa Masjid in Saraspur as part of a road-widening project. The mosque’s trust, which had challenged the notice, argued that the 400-year-old structure was a sacred heritage site and a protected Waqf property, but the court dismissed the plea.
The ruling came after the demolition notice from AMC required the mosque committee to vacate part of the premises for a city development scheme aimed at easing congestion between Kalupur railway station and the Ahmedabad Metro Junction.
Court Rejects Plea for Relief
Justice Mauna M. Bhatt, delivering the verdict, stated that provisions of the Waqf Act did not apply in this case, as AMC invoked special powers under the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations (GPMC) Act. The court emphasized that the project was in “public interest” and refused to grant the four-week stay sought by the Mansa Masjid Trust.
Mosque Committee’s Stand
The Mansa Masjid Trust argued that the mosque, registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act in 1950, was not only a place of prayer but a central institution for the Muslim community. The petitioner also claimed that due process had been ignored, pointing out that the Deputy Estate Officer, not the Municipal Commissioner, issued the notice. The trust called the demolition a violation of constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
State’s Defense
The state government and AMC defended the road-widening initiative, maintaining that all legal requirements were met under the GPMC Act. They insisted that the Waqf Act’s provisions did not override the municipal commissioner’s special powers in such urban development matters. Officials described the project as crucial for traffic management and city growth.
Rising Tensions in Gujarat
The court’s decision echoes earlier contentious actions. In September 2024, a mosque, a dargah, and a graveyard were demolished in Gir Somnath district near the Somnath temple, sparking widespread backlash. Although petitions were filed in the Supreme Court against those actions, the apex court sided with the Gujarat government, citing lawful removal of encroachments.
With this latest verdict, the partial demolition of the Mansa Masjid is expected to heighten tensions between the state’s development agenda and the preservation of historic religious sites.
