The Seelampur-Brahmpuri area in North-East Delhi is once again in the spotlight, and not for good reasons. Tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities have been escalating over the past few weeks due to the planned expansion of the Al Matin mosque. Every year, Hindus in the locality observe Holika Dahan at a site opposite the mosque. However, this year, Holi coincides with the holy month of Ramzan and falls on the day of Jumma Namaz, raising concerns about possible clashes—even violence—among the residents.
Many Hindus in the area still recall the 2020 anti-Hindu riots in Delhi, during which Seelampur witnessed widespread violence, with reports of gunfire allegedly coming from the Al Matin mosque. Is this densely populated neighborhood truly becoming a center of Islamic radicalism, or is this narrative politically driven? We went on the ground to investigate.
Mosque Expansion and 'House for Sale' Signs
The Al-Matin Mosque was already operational in a four-story house on Gali No. 13. Recently, plans for its expansion were initiated. To facilitate this, an adjacent plot was acquired from a Hindu family, whose house was demolished to make way for the mosque's extension.
The local Hindu community has expressed concerns. “A bigger mosque can accommodate a mob twice the size of 2020 riots”, they say. Sixty Hindu families reside on the adjacent street, Gali No. 12. The mosque expansion plan has sparked concern among them, leading nearly half (around 25-30) of the households to put up posters stating "House for Sale."
Pandit Shankar Lal Gautam, the petitioner opposing the mosque expansion project, states, “The proposed construction is illegal. The MCD has been misled to pass the plan and map of the mosque. There is a Shiv Temple nearby. The expanded mosque’s gate will open right before it. Two communities will be face-to-face on every religious festival. We don’t want anything like 2020 (riots) to happen again.”
Shankar Lal claims that the plan involves demographic shifts under the guise of mosque expansion. He states that all the houses previously owned by Hindus have been purchased exclusively by Muslims.
2020 Anti-Hindu Riots: Scars That Still Remain
The 2020 Delhi riots, which targeted Hindus, remain vivid in people's memories. In North East Delhi’s areas like Seelampur and Jafrabad, 53 lives were lost, and hundreds sustained injuries. Locals report that gunfire came from the Al Matin mosque, where a large mob had assembled during the violence. OpIndia provided extensive coverage of the events.
The demographics of the Brahmapuri area have undergone significant changes since then. Many Hindus began selling their homes and moving elsewhere. A local resident, Dinesh Sharma (name changed), shares, “Everything for us changed after 2020 anti-Hindu riots. We lost loved ones and saw our people suffer. The expansion of the mosque creates similar fears in us. What will happen in case another communal violence breaks out?” Several Hindu families from Gali No. 12 expressed similar concerns.
Muslims Dismiss Controversy as Baseless
Deputy Imam Saddam Hussain from the Al Matin Mosque spoke with us. He said, “The plot was donated to us. We need a bigger mosque because the number of Muslims coming to the mosque in the area has increased. What is wrong in it? Nobody is forcing anyone to sell houses here. People are selling because they are getting good prices.”
Hussain further added,”The plot where the construction is taking place, is for a community centre, not for mosque.” However, locals claim that the so-called community center will actually be part of the mosque. Muslim residents assert that allegations of communal violence are baseless and emphasize that Holika Dahan is permitted in front of the mosque every year. However, local Hindus hold a different view. A woman says, “Everyone knows what happened in 2020. We saw what happened. What if they get violent again?”
Holi Vs Ramzan
Holi falls on March 24th this year, coinciding with Jumma Namaz during the month of Ramzan. Local Hindus are concerned about conducting Holika Dahan in front of the mosque. Ajay Kumar from Gali No 12 says, “There are policemen now. What if they leave, or unavailable? Everything appeared ‘normal and peaceful’ in the days leading to 2020 riots too. nobody expected the violence. We don’t want to risk the safety of our families”. Ajay's eyes widen in fear as he talks about his children.
The Al Matin Mosque originally operated from a private residence, which was later converted into a mosque. The house was donated as ‘Jakaat’ to an Islamic organization. Located in Gali No. 13, the mosque is approximately 10–12 years old and has gradually transformed from a residential house into its current four-story structure. Prior to this, the tradition of Holika Dahan had been observed in the area for many years.
An adjacent plot to the mosque provides access to Gali No. 12, with a small passage connecting Gali No. 12 and 13. While the mosque's new gate could have been positioned towards this passage, efforts were made to design it to open onto Gali No. 12, where a Shiv Temple is located. This has led to objections from the local Hindu community. The Shiv Temple, built in 1984, has been a place of worship where Hindus have gathered and celebrated festivals for decades.
Police and MCD Enforcement
The police have responded to complaints and concerns by increasing patrolling in the area. The MCD has put a halt to the construction work for the mosque extension, and a show cause notice has been issued to the Al Matin Society. Allegations have surfaced that the proposed extension was approved based on false information. According to the police, both communities in the area seek peace, and no untoward incidents have been reported. Meanwhile, the local BJP councillor has stated that no one will be allowed to incite violence in the area, and an exodus of Hindus will not take place.
Are Demographic Changes Strategic?
Many Hindus believe that the expansion of the mosque in the area follows a specific pattern. They argue that once a mosque is built or expanded, demographic and social changes follow, gradually altering the atmosphere and circumstances of the neighborhood. Over time, they fear that as the mosque grows, the Hindu population diminishes.
An elderly Hindu resident recalls, "Before 2020, there was harmony and peace. But after the events of that year, everything changed."
Gali No. 12 and 13 in the Brahmapuri area fall under Maujpur Ward No. 228. During the violence on February 25, 2020, three Hindu youths were injured in gunfire.
Following the unrest, many Hindu families have been selling their properties and leaving the area. While local Muslims maintain that the sales are driven by attractive property prices, Hindus attribute their migration to the lingering impact of the riots and the evolving demographic landscape.
The reasons for their departure are complex. Some Hindus remain deeply affected by the violence of 2020 and feel uneasy about the demographic shifts. Many see the mosque’s expansion as symbolic of broader changes in the neighborhood. They fear that their numbers are dwindling and worry that the current state of calm may not last.
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