Telangana HC Stops Minorities Dept Takeover of Azad Institute For Namaz Prayers

The Telangana High Court on January 27 ordered for status quo to be maintained with regard to the land and functioning of the Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute, which was sealed off by the state government via a memo issued on January 23.

The HC’s order comes at a time when the institute has been struggling in general with regards to funding and maintaining its space. 

The Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute premises was sealed-off by the Telangana Minorities Welfare Board citing the land being required for the convenience of prayers for Muslims who come to the mosque in the same



premises (both are located in the Public Gardens).

Soon after the memo was issued, the committee members then held a a meeting and a writ petition was filed with the Telangana High Court by one Mr Syed Iftekhar Hussaini questioning the action of Minorities Welfare Department sealing the reputed and age-old Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute.

The High Court in its order noted that the premises is not open to public to offer Namaz and directed the government to continue with status quo. Writ petition No.2379 of 2026 was filed by Syed Iftekhar Hussaini, who is a member of the institute, to preserve it.