The Centre told the Delhi High Court that Qadeemi Masjid must be removed for the Central Vista project. The dispute raises questions about religious facilities on secular government premises.

The Centre submitted that, being the owner of the land, the L&DO cannot be compelled to allot or set apart any separate space for the mosque within the Krishi Bhawan compound or the Central Secretariat complex.

The Qadeemi Masjid, located inside Delhi's Krishi Bhawan, predates India's independence. Now, the Centre wants it removed to make way for the Central Vista project. But how did a mosque come to exist inside a government complex in the heart of New Delhi in the first place?

The government, in its submission in Delhi High Court, maintained that Krishi Bhavan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular government premises exclusively designated for administrative, governmental and public service activities.

Centre told HC that a mosque, located in government complex, needs to be demolished as it is "incompatible" with the "secular character."