Jama Masjid is not significant for its religious value but also as an integral part of the country's composite heritage. Designed almost 350 years ago by Ustad Khaleel and built by the emperor Shah Jahan, it was also called Masjid Jahannuma. It is easily the most beautiful mosque in the sub-continent, yet its immediate surroundings are full of filth and squalor ...

Those who are its self-appointed guardians ... they seem to consider the mosque and its surroundings as their personal fiefdom and never lose an opportunity to exploit it for their personal gains. A large number of structures, mainly shops, have come around with the open connivance and active encouragement of the so-called Jama Masjid Trust.

Then, a few years ago, a room was built facing the southern side of the mosque, which for some time housed PCO for STD/ITS services. Three years ago, they built yet another wazu ghar for ablutions by the Naib Imam, Ahmed Bukhari. The matter was brought to the notice of the Wakf Board, the ASI and the Delhi Urban Arts Commission. When no response was forthcoming, the Conservation Society of Delhi was compelled to file a PIL. The court ordered the demolition of the wazu ghar, which was subsequently carried out.

Now, a large room has come up, ostensibly for bathing unclaimed dead bodies before burial. Worse, a huge langar khana or community kitchen has been built on the western side of the mosque at its rear and facing the Chawri Bazar. While langar khanas are attached to gurdwaras and dargahs of Sufi saints ... there is not even a single instance of a langar khana attached to any mosque in India ... It is said that the huge structure is actually meant for a kitchen because the space if frequently given for marriage receptions at rates ranging from Rs.20,000 to Rs.50,000.

.. The Delhi Government is said to be in the process of setting up an advisory panel to devise a via media to placate the Imam ... The formation of a committee or panel would,.in fact, amount to unabashed appeasement ...

Detrimental to the sanctity of the monument ...

In fact, the so-called Jama Masjid Trust is an anachronism. Neither its objectives nor its source of funding are known to the public ... More importantly, it has done little for the monument it is supposed to maintain. Barely a month ago, the High Court has issued instructions to all the authorities concerned - the Delhi Government, the DDA, the MCD, the ASI and the Delhi Wakf Board - to furnish the list of unauthorised structures erected in or near the monument ...

Not only the langar khana deserves to be demolished but also. all the other illegal structures that deface the monument.