Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai, others detained as row over Saharanpur mosque demolition escalates

Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday (September 7, 2026) detained senior state Congress leaders including State Congress President Ajay Rai in Lucknow after they attempted to visit Saharanpur over the demolition of a historic mosque within the Saharanpur Collectorate complex.

The Congress described the police action as dictatorship, adding the administration is working on the directions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to silence the voices of opposition. Mr. Rai and other Congress leaders were released in the evening after hours of detention.

“Following the brutal action of bulldozing the historic mosque located in the Saharanpur Collectorate premises, I along with other party leaders were going to take stock of the situation there today, but we were forcibly detained by the police as soon as he left the Lucknow party office. This authoritarian action is clear evidence that the BJP government is deeply afraid of the Congress party’s democratic pushback. This repressive and undemocratic approach by the administration will not be able to suppress the Congress’s high spirits and strong resolve. It is struggle against injustice and dictatorship. Along with us, hundreds of other brave party leaders and workers also stood firm in this protest. The Congress Party will continue to vigorously oppose every excess committed by this government, which has murdered democracy and the Constitution,” told Mr. Rai, to The Hindu. 

A Samajwadi Party (SP) delegation consisting of some MPs and other party leaders submitted a petition to the authorities in Saharanpur addressed to the President of India seeking action on officers responsible for demolition. “Today, as per the instructions of respected National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji, a memorandum was submitted to the Additional Commissioner regarding the demolition of a 119-year-old mosque in Saharanpur.

The judicial process must be followed in this entire matter, and action must be taken in accordance with the Constitution. I also appeal to maintain mutual brotherhood, harmony, and peace in society. There is an emergency-like situation in this government; the commissioner was not available even after giving time,” said Harendra Malik, a SP Lok Sabha MP.

In a related development, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team on Monday examined a well discovered during debris removal at the site of the demolished mosque on the premises of the Saharanpur collectorate, officials said. ASI officials reached the site in afternoon and examined the well in the presence of local administration officials, Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Subodh Kumar said.

“The ASI officials measured the depth of the well after placing a ladder inside and examined its interior. They also carried out photography and videography and collected samples of soil and brick remnants from inside the well as part of their investigation,” said the SDM, to local reporters.