The bulldozer action is a direct attack on religious freedom, raising fears among Muslims of rising Islamophobia under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership
NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW – The Uttar Pradesh government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has come under sharp criticism after authorities demolished at least 20 mosques and madrasas within a 15-kilometre radius of the Indo-Nepal border. The demolitions, carried out over the past few days, have angered Muslim groups and raised serious questions about the targeting of minorities in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the government announced that hundreds of so-called “encroachments” had been cleared in the districts of Bahraich, Sravasti, Siddharth Nagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Lakhimpur Kheri. The action was taken under Section 67 of the Revenue Code. However, Muslim leaders say the demolitions clearly show an anti-Muslim bias, as mosques and madrasas were the main targets.
Speaking to reporters, local Muslim activist Imran Khan said, “This is not about clearing illegal structures; this is about attacking Muslim identity. If there were genuine issues, the government should have regularised these institutions, not bulldozed them.”
According to reports, 17 unrecognised madrasas were shut down in Sravasti district alone. Of these, 10 were located in Bhanga tehsil and seven in Jumunha tehsil. The District Magistrate of Sravasti posted on social media that “action is being taken against illegally run and unrecognised madrasas in the district.” He claimed that the madrasas failed to show valid recognition documents.
However, locals insist that many of these madrasas have been serving the community for years. “These madrasas were teaching poor children free of cost. They did not have money for official paperwork, but they were doing noble work,” said Mohammad Salim, a resident of Bhanga.
In Siddharth Nagar district, authorities demolished five structures, including a mosque and a madrasa, built on what they called “government land” in Nawgarh tehsil. Illegal constructions were also identified at six places in Shohratgarh tehsil of the same district.
Similarly, in Palia tehsil of Lakhimpur Kheri district, a mosque was torn down in Krishna Nagar Colony. In Bahraich’s Nanpara tehsil, 227 alleged encroachments were identified, and 89 have already been removed between April 25 and 27, according to government sources.
Officials maintained that no religious or educational buildings were destroyed in some cases. “Only illegal structures without religious status were removed,” said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity. But Muslim groups argue otherwise.
“The reality is that mosques and madrasas were selectively targeted,” said Maulana Arshad Hussain, a religious scholar. “When Hindu temples illegally occupy land, no bulldozers are sent. Why only Muslim places?”
In Maharajganj district, encroachments were found in Feranda, Notnawa, and Nikol tehsils. One case is currently pending in court, while demolition continues at other places. In Balrampur district, seven cases of encroachment were reported, five in Balrampur tehsil and two in Tulsipur tehsil. Officials claimed that two sites were vacated voluntarily, while others are facing eviction.
The Indian Muslim community sees this demolition drive as another example of Yogi Adityanath’s government targeting Muslims to please its Hindu nationalist supporters. The chief minister, known for his open support of Hindutva ideology, has often been accused of fuelling communal tensions.
Senior journalist Anwar Alam said, “The bulldozer has become a symbol of oppression for Muslims under Yogi’s rule. This is part of a larger plan to frighten and silence Muslims.”
Political analysts note that Yogi Adityanath has repeatedly used bulldozer politics to show his power, especially against minorities. “The use of bulldozers to demolish Muslim properties sends a loud and clear message to the majority community,” said Prof Sameer Akhtar from Lucknow University. “It is to show who is in control.”
Many Muslims feel increasingly unsafe in Uttar Pradesh. “We are being treated like second-class citizens in our own country,” said Shaista Parveen, a schoolteacher from Balrampur. “Our mosques, our madrasas, our homes — nothing is safe anymore.”
Several Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have called the demolitions illegal and demanded immediate rebuilding of the mosques and madrasas. In a statement, the board said, “The government has no right to destroy religious places without following legal procedures. This is a violation of the Constitution of India.”
The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice and manage their religious affairs peacefully. But under Yogi Adityanath, many believe that these rights exist only on paper for Indian Muslims.
Human rights groups have also raised concerns. “Such actions violate not only the Constitution but also India’s international human rights commitments,” said Human Rights Law Network lawyer Deepa Kaul. “The international community must take notice of how religious minorities are being treated in India,” she added.
Despite growing outrage, the Uttar Pradesh government has shown no signs of stepping back. Officials continue to defend the demolitions, claiming they are aimed at “illegal encroachments” and not directed at any one community.
However, Muslims say they see a clear pattern. “We are being pushed to the wall, treated as outsiders in our own motherland,” said an emotional Abdul Rahman, an elderly man in Bahraich. “This is not just demolition of the buildings, it is demolition of our trust in the system.”
The anger among Indian Muslims is now spreading to other parts of the country. Protests have been reported in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, where people gathered to condemn what they called “bulldozer justice” against Muslims.
In a statement, the Students Islamic Organisation said, “Targeting places of worship and education centres of Muslims is a deliberate attempt to create fear. The government must be held accountable.”
As the dust settles over the demolished mosques and madrasas, a deep wound remains among the Muslim community. Many fear this is just the beginning of a wider campaign to erase their religious and cultural identity.
As Maulana Abdul Malik from Sravasti said, “Our mosques may fall, but our faith will stand strong. Injustice cannot break our spirit.”
The silence from top national leaders, including the prime minister, has also drawn criticism. Many expected the government to intervene and stop the demolitions, but no such move has been made yet.
Meanwhile, Muslim families near the Indo-Nepal border live in fear, unsure whose madrasa or mosque will be targeted next. “We built our mosques with love, prayer, and hard-earned money. Now they destroy them like we are nothing,” said Farzana Bibi, her voice breaking.
At a time when peace and unity are needed more than ever, the latest bulldozer drive in Uttar Pradesh has only widened the divide between communities. Indian Muslims now ask the most painful question of all: “Are we still equal citizens of India?”
