Sight of masjid gives BJP, Yogi a headache: Owaisi - The HinduPublished - September 05, 2026 08:53 pm ISTHyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday condemned the demolition of a masjid at the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh, describing the action as a “fit example of hatred” and questioning the Yogi Adityanath government’s commitment to the rule of law.Mr Owaisi said the BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government appeared to be pained by the sight of mosques, alleging that “the sight of a masjid gives them a headache”. He said the Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion and that the government could not selectively disregard these guarantees.The masjid, he maintained, was constructed in 1911 after a Muslim man donated his private land for the purpose . This place of worship continued to be frequented by people until September this year, he said. Mr Owaisi questioned the circumstances in which the demolition was carried out, pointing out that the lower court had not granted a stay. “The BJP and Yogi administration does not have faith in the higher courts,” he said, questioning why the authorities barricaded the area and demolished the mosque at around 5 a.m.He alleged that the timing of the demolition indicated that the government did not want the matter to reach a higher court because it knew its position was "wrong”.“I want to ask the BJP, and especially CM Yogi Adityanath, whether the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion is not there for Muslims? You are destroying our places of worship ?” he said.Mr Owaisi, who is the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadull Muslimeen president, also invoked legal provisions relating to “waqf by user” and law of adverse possession, questioning why the masjid committee had not been allowed to appeal. He asked whether the rule of law had ended and said the President should intervene if that was the case.He condemned the demolition and advised the mosque committee to approach the higher courts, offering his assistance in pursuing the matter.Published - September 05, 2026 08:53 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }