Stoking fears

So, the New Delhi Government is contemplating a massive development project near the Jama Masjid area. The plan involves spending around Rs. 1200 crores to build a swanky mall that will house 600 showrooms and a three tier parking lot with a capacity of 9000 vehicles.

"I am happy to know about the plan. I support it fully and would want the work to begin fast," the Shahi Imam of the mosque, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, says. [link]

This plan should be embraced by all the Sachar-wallahs as it will stimulate economy in the old Delhi area. Don't bet on it though. Secular media is stoking fears that the develoment will put the Masjid at risk. Unnamed experts believe that the plan will certainly damage the Masjid, the "vibrations from the digging itself will be enough to pull down the mosque". Of course, even good intentions about minorities only create bad vibrations.

After a few alarmist articles and blog posts, CNN-IBN is now triumphantly back with an impact report.

Impact: UNESCO to Jama Masjid's rescue

New Delhi: Last week, CNN-IBN reported [Read Report] how the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is planning 60-foot deep four-storey basement parking area dangerously close to Jama Masjid, the construction of which will damage the foundations of the historic mosque. Concerned about the safety of the historical site, the threat has got UNESCO sounding the alarm bells. The body has shot off a letter to the Delhi government.

"We will be inquiring from the Delhi government on what it plans to do for the area," says UNESCO's India head, Minja Yang. Even though Jama Masjid is not a World Heritage site - and therefore does not fall under UNESCO's jurisdiction - the body's intervention only shows how seriously threatening MCD's plans are. [link]

Notice the spin on the last line above. The UNESCO is merely planning to ask questions, even though the matter doesn't fall under their jurisdiction. This is twisted to imply that the UNESCO believes that the MCD plan is seriously threatening.

Compare and contrast this with the secular media response to the Ram Setu destruction plan.

You may also want to read:

SandeepWeb: Does only violence work?
RealityCheck: A secular religio tourist plan for AP