Historic mosque vanishes in India’s floods as state stands silent
Muslims in northeast India blame BJP-led government after 100-year-old mosque is swept away by Brahmaputra River without protection
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A century-old mosque in northeastern Indian state of Assam has been swept away by the swelling Brahmaputra River, triggering outrage and grief among local Muslims who say the state government ignored repeated warnings to protect the site.
The Wahab Bazar mosque, located in the flood-prone town of Fakirganj in Assam’s Dhubri district, crumbled into the river last week. As it collapsed, worshippers continued offering prayers on the muddy riverbank — where the mosque once stood — under the open sky.
Footage of the collapse, showing worshippers offering namaz in rows while the river consumed the remains behind them, went viral on social media, triggering disbelief and sorrow across India and abroad. Many questioned how a mosque of such historical and cultural value was left vulnerable to erosion, without any protective measures in place.
The mosque was more than a place of worship — it symbolized generations of heritage, unity, and local pride. According to Clarion India, community members have accused the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, of ignoring repeated warnings and pleas for flood protection.
“This was not just a building. It was our identity,” said Abdul Karim, a lifelong resident. “We asked for embankments for years, but nothing was done. Now, we pray in the mud.”
Assam is no stranger to monsoon-triggered flooding, but locals say the failure to safeguard the mosque reflects a deeper pattern. Community leaders point to a broader climate of indifference — or hostility — toward Muslim institutions under the BJP-led state government.
“The government is very quick to bulldoze madrasas, often without even giving proper notice. But when it comes to preserving a 100-year-old mosque, they turn a blind eye. This isn’t just neglect — it’s targeted discrimination,” said Nasiruddin Ahmed, a local activist.
Over the years, residents say they submitted proposals, met officials, and warned about the erosion risk. Promises were made, but funding never arrived. Now, the mosque — once a venue for interfaith gatherings and admired by visitors from across India — exists only in memory.
“This was a place of peace. Even tourists came to see its architecture,” said retired teacher Zakia Sultana. “Its loss is not just ours — it’s India’s.”
The state government has yet to issue any formal statement. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including member of parliament Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress figures in Assam, have condemned the incident, demanding a judicial inquiry and immediate compensation for the community.
Calls have also grown for the mosque to be rebuilt using public funds, as a gesture of justice and preservation. “If the government has money to build new temples, they must also have money to rebuild our mosque,” said Hafizur Rahman, a local imam.
While the mosque may be gone, the pain and anger it has left behind may not go away soon. For many in Fakirganj, the incident has deepened feelings of alienation and discrimination.
“The mosque stood for more than a hundred years,” said Noorul Haq, 78, “Floods came before, but we always rebuilt. This time, it feels different. This time, it feels like they let it happen on purpose.”
While the physical structure has been lost, prayers continue on the bare ground it once occupied — a defiant act of faith in a moment of profound loss.
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