The Demolition that Allegedly Erased History
For centuries, what stood as a testament to history was ruthlessly ravaged within a mere hour on January 30, 2024, posing an important question to those who can’t empathize with the narratives that echo inside the walls. A centuries-old mosque, reminiscent of many others in India and whose madrasa had been providing shelter to 25 children, succumbed to recent demolitions. Akhonji Mosque, believed to have been built 600 years ago, was destroyed by orders from the DDA department, even though it belonged to a time when the DDA itself didn’t exist. Allegations of illegal land usage became the catalyst for the destruction of this sacred place, a structure dating back to the time of Raziya Sultan, symbolizing a fragment of our cultural heritage.
The Hardship that Occured:
The imam and his associates, seized by the police in the morning, had their phones snatched and were discarded at a distance from the mosque. Upon their return, the demolition had already happened. Amidst the ruins, children stood without any possessions, food, and utensils, their gaze lost in the chill of the morning. Computers and textbooks, painstakingly collected over the years for their education, lay in a mess, religious texts blending with the soil beneath the open sky. The brutality of the event is unfolded in videos captured with great difficulty by those dedicated to the madarsa.
The Relief that Followed:
After the incident, 15 out of 25 children lost hope and hurried back home, leaving behind 10 kids, mostly orphans, who had nowhere else to seek refuge but Madrasa Kala Mahal. Recognizing their immediate needs, we provided them with essential items as all their belongings had been buried during the demolition. We distributed blankets and jackets to each child and provided bags for them to store their possessions. Additionally, we supplied other essentials such as shoes, socks, and handkerchiefs. The following day, as we returned to provide further assistance, five of the children who had initially returned home came back. In total, there are now 15 children residing in Kala Mahal, for whom we will be providing monthly rations. We were intrigued to spend the whole day with the children, but half of the day went by in a jiffy. Our team had lunch with those cherishing, enthusiastic kids, which passed in talks, the stories they carry, and uplifting hope. To our surprise, they were affectionate enough towards us to invite us to play cricket with them, and in return for their kindness, we prepared a surprise for them while they were busy with their daily chores. We gifted them stationery and sports kits. Thus, the second half went by like a breeze that carries the fragrance of lilies and roses. In return for bringing childhood joy to us, we look forward to providing them with more stationery, books, computers, and additional sports equipment such as badminton sets and carrom boards.