Encroachment on government land from the metropolitan cities to small towns of the country is not a new thing. Often the administration remains blind until the courts intervene. A similar case has also come to light in the country’s capital Delhi, which has once again brought the pages of history into discussion.

This is a case of alleged illegal encroachment in and around the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque located near the historical Turkman Gate. When this matter reached Delhi High Court and the court ordered removal of the encroachment, there was a huge uproar in the area during the action. Stone pelting, tear gas and deployment of heavy police force once again brought Turkman Gate into the limelight.

What is Turkman Gate? Know its historical importance

Turkman Gate is one of the main gates of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. Built in the 17th century, this gate was constructed at a time when Delhi was being developed as a strongly fortified capital.

How did Turkman Gate get its name?

This gate is named after the famous Sufi saint Shah Turkman, whose shrine is located near the gate. Urs is organized here every year in the memory of Shah Turkman. Due to this religious and cultural importance, this area has been inhabited for centuries. Talking about the structure of Turkman Gate, it is a rectangular structure. It has a two-storey turret with a three-arched entrance. It is considered an important example of Mughal art.

Does Turkman Gate have any connection with Aurangzeb?

This question often arises that what is Aurangzeb’s relation with Turkman Gate? No direct relation has come to light yet. However, the Turkman Gate was built during the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb was the son of Shahjahan. For this reason the gate has no direct or historical connection with Aurangzeb. This confusion often spreads due to social media and incomplete historical information.

When was the bulldozer run on Turkman Gate for the first time?

The name of Turkman Gate first came into discussion on a large scale on 13 April 1976, when a bulldozer was run during the Emergency. At that time, on the instructions of Sanjay Gandhi, a large-scale slum removal campaign was launched in Delhi. Bulldozer reached Turkman Gate area for the first time. Initially slums were removed, which faced limited opposition.

What was the impact of Sanjay Gandhi’s decision?

This decision of Sanjay Gandhi agitated the entire Old Delhi. Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Turkman Gate. Anger and dissatisfaction spread in these areas. Local people called for a general strike. Labor organizations and leftist parties organized the protest. This protest soon started turning violent. On 19 April 1976, Turkman Gate became a ground of conflict. The situation went completely out of control. The bulldozers moved forward again, people came out on the streets, then Dojana House was attacked. In response, the police lathicharged and tear gas shells were released. Even women and children were not spared. Many people were injured in this violent confrontation and Turkman Gate became a painful chapter in the history of Delhi.

Why did Turkman Gate come into discussion again in 2025?

After almost five decades, Turkman Gate is once again in the headlines. The reason for this is Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque and encroachment. Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque is located near the historic Turkman Gate. Many buildings have been built around it by illegal encroachment on government land. The court ordered removal of illegal encroachments around the historical structure. On January 6, 2025, the bulldozer started again, after which a ruckus broke out. MCD and police teams reached the spot with bulldozers. Seeing this, the local people started protesting. Soon stone pelting started and the police used tear gas to control the situation. The entire area was converted into a cantonment.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Why did the bulldozer run in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan area, how did the dispute start, what is the link to the mosque?

In Delhi, at midnight on January 6, action was taken to remove illegal encroachment near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque located at Ramlila Maidan near Turkman Gate. Around 10 bulldozers were deployed at the spot in the early hours of 7 January, during which the situation in the area became tense.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday (July 27, 2025) that hundreds of slums in Delhi are going through the pain of being homeless, as the BJP government has broken their homes. He claimed that this atrocities highlight the insensitivity of the ruling party towards the poor and its ‘arrogance of power’.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha shared a video of his recent visit to Ashok Vihar area of Delhi, where many people were dropped by the administration. While sharing a video, Rahul Gandhi said in a post on ‘X’, “Think, if your whole family is rendered homeless in a single moment, if your whole family is rendered homeless?” Hundreds of poor families living in slums of Delhi are going through this pain today.

BJP government brutally destroyed homes

Rahul Gandhi said, ‘The small houses in which his entire life was settled, the BJP government was brutally destroyed by the BJP government. These were not just houses, it was their dreams, their respect and support to live. This torture being done under the guise of administration, exposes the BJP’s insensitivity towards the poor and the pride of power.

The Congress leader said, ‘We are standing firmly with these desolate families. This fight is now not only for homes, justice and humanity and we will fight on every front. Last week, Rahul Gandhi met some families in Jailorwala Bagh and Wazirpur in Ashok Vihar, whose houses were dropped by the BJP government of Delhi.

Congress leader assured assistance

In the video, Gandhi is seen talking to the homeless families. The Congress leader assured him to raise his issues and provide legal assistance. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) last month launched an anti-encroachment campaign in Ashok Vihar in West Delhi and demolished more than 300 illegal houses. A similar anti-encroachment campaign was carried out by the Indian Railways in the Wazirpur area of North Delhi.

Also read:- ‘Gun leaving the gun, fishing net’, PM Modi appreciated former Naxalites in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has targeted the BJP on bulldozer action in the national capital Delhi. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Atishi said that the BJP government in Delhi is going to run bulldozers on two more slums. He said in Delhi on Friday (25 July) that preparations have started to run bulldozers in Shalimar Bagh and Rohtas Nagar. People have received notices.

Atishi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that every slum living in Delhi will get a house. Cards were given to the poor all over Delhi, where the slum is there. PM Modi himself promised that until the house is found, not a single slum will be broken.

He said, “Ever since the BJP has formed four engine governments, bulldozers are being run at the homes of the poor of Delhi one after the other. The truth of BJP has come to light. Actually, they were saying that where the slum is, they will make it a ground.

Atishi mentioned notice

He said, “In the recent past, Bulldozers ran in Madrasi camp, landless camp, Wazirpur, Jailorwala Bagh, Gokulpur, Madipur. Now preparations have started to run bulldozers in two more slums Shalimar Bagh and Rohtas Nagar. ”

Atishi showed the notice at the press conference, saying, “Notice has been put in Indira Camp in CM Rekha Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh. Bulldozers will be run on this slum within 15 days. CM repeatedly says that not a single bulldozer will work. This slum was given in 1990. Cards were given, tokens were given. People for 35 years, these poor are living here. Now this government is going to run bulldozers. ”

Atishi warns of movement

He said, “Similarly, notice has been imposed on the slum of Lal Bagh in GT Road Martyrdom. On 31 July, a bulldozer will be run on this slum. People have 1990 allotment cards. Till date no government has run a bulldozer. But ever since the government of four engines came, bulldozers are being run. ”

BJP’s bulldozer has gone out to break the houses of the poor – now the target is Shalimar Bagh and Rohtas Nagar. Important press conference on this issue. Live https://t.co/3sou8eqxkt

– Atishi (@Atishiaap) July 25, 2025

Former CM Atishi said, “I want to tell the BJP that the power of the poor should not be considered less. His hard work leads to Delhi. These people just drive. Work in homes. These people who run Delhi, these people will work to stop Delhi. People will take to the streets. You are fighting the battle of the poor. To save these slums, the road will raise voice in Parliament.

Batla house demolition stay: After the barricades coming to Batla House in Delhi, the houses and shops where the Delhi Development Authority had pasted the notice in the area is now being completely vacant. The shopkeepers said that the goods had already been packed, but now they are also removing from the shop.

According to sources, the police has prepared for barricading regarding demolition in Muraadi Road of Batla House area. Notice was pasted on Muraadi Road. After the ban from the court, the rest of the property can be demolished except those properties. Delhi Police is preparing for security. Barricading is also being installed.

In Batla House, the police has kept a barricade near the procession in the same street in the same street. All barricades are placed on the side of the wall. Discussions of bulldozer action are being held in the area since the police brought the barricade. However, police force has not been deployed in the area yet.

What did Delhi Police tell?

In fact, Delhi Police on Tuesday tightened security arrangements in Batla House area of ​​South-East Delhi. Sources said that amidst heavy rains, policemen were seen putting blockers in many places. He said, “We have imposed obstructive in the area and have activated informers and sources to maintain law and order.”

This development has come at a time when the Delhi High Court has directed to maintain the status quo till July 10 on the demolition proposed by the DDA in Batla House area. Justice Tejas Karia has summoned the reply from the DDA and other parties within four weeks in the order issued on 16 June. The court decided on July 10, the next hearing of the case, saying, “Meanwhile, the status quo will be maintained by the parties.”