Land Dispute Threatens Ayodhya Mosque Construction

A Delhi woman, Rani Punjabi, claims her family owns the land allocated for a mosque in Ayodhya. Despite her claims being rejected by the Allahabad High Court in 2021, she plans to approach the Supreme Court. Zufar Farooqui of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust refutes her claim, assuring work will commence as scheduled.

In a developing land dispute, Delhi resident Rani Punjabi asserts that the five acres of land designated for the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya is part of her family's 28.35-acre property. Despite her claims being dismissed by the Allahabad High Court in 2021, Punjabi plans to move the Supreme Court to reclaim the land.

Zufar Farooqui, chairperson of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust and the Sunni Central Waqf Board, has denied the validity of her claim. He stated that the project will proceed without hindrance, with construction anticipated to start in October. Farooqui mentioned minor issues are being resolved, including the pending Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) certificate for fundraising.

Punjabi maintains that her family used the land for farming until 1983, before relocating to Delhi due to her father's health issues. She insists she possesses ownership documents and seeks justice. Farooqui responds that in Islam, mosques cannot be constructed on disputed land, echoing the High Court's previous decision. The Supreme Court's 2019 verdict granted this land to Muslims for a mosque, alongside the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya.