The heavy police presence as protesters gathered to oppose court’s ruling on Masjid-e-Ibrahim land in Mallepally, on Wednesday afternoon, in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit: Arrangement
A dispute over the historic Masjid-e-Ibrahim land in Mallepally has sparked a political and community-led protest, after an attempt to enforce a court order triggered concern among local residents and religious groups.
The row escalated on Wednesday afternoon when Habeeb Nagar police personnel, along with court officials, arrived near a function hall in the area to execute a civil court directive concerning the land’s ownership. Their presence was met with a strong protest by locals, who feared a bid to transfer control of the mosque to another party.
AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain, along with party workers, the local corporator, and religious scholars, led the protest from the front. The MLA also offered prayers at the mosque and addressed the media, vowing to secure a stay order from the court by presenting the necessary documentation. He said AIMIM members had remained at the site overnight in anticipation of the move.
GHMC claims
Habeeb Nagar police Inspector T. Purushottam Rao said: “Claims were raised by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) that the land in question is government property. However, local residents insist that the site is a place of worship and must remain so. The dispute stems from a civil case, where the court ruled in favour of one Abdul Mukheed. The opposing party is understood to belong to the Anjuman backward class Muslim minority community.”
The Inspector confirmed that nearly 50 personnel were deployed for security. “The court directed us to provide protection in a property matter. The GHMC has claimed ownership, while the community says it is a place of worship. The situation ended with the parties deciding to take the matter to court,” the officer informed.
“The opposing party is understood to belong to the Anjuman backward class Muslim minority community.”T. Purushottam Rao Habeeb Nagar police Inspector
Published – June 18, 2025 07:04 pm IST
