Authorities are accused of using bulldozers as a political tool to harass the minority community under the garb of governance
NEW DELHI – The Uttarakhand administration demolished five tombs in the Kundeshwari area of Kashipur city in Udham Singh Nagar District, claiming they were illegally constructed on government land. The action, supervised by local Sub-Divisional Magistrate Abhay Pratap Singh, has sparked widespread criticism, especially among the Muslim community, who allege the state government is carrying out a targeted campaign under the garb of law enforcement.
Eyewitnesses said the demolition began at dawn on Wednesday with a heavy police presence, leaving no time for the local caretakers to salvage anything. Videos of the bulldozers tearing down the tombs, considered sacred by the local Muslim population, have now gone viral on social media, causing anger and fear across the country.
Locals who had cared for the tombs for generations expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the government’s action.
“These tombs have been here for decades. My grandfather and father used to clean and look after them. They were part of our identity,” said Mohammad Rizwan, a resident of Kundeshwari. “Why didn’t the government talk to us properly or give us a chance? This is not justice, this is punishment for being Muslim.”
Others echoed similar feelings, describing the act as “open discrimination” against their community.
“We have seen temples built on pavements, in forests, even on riverbanks. But no one touches them. The government only sees our tombs and madrasas as illegal,” said Parveen Ahmed, a local social worker.
SDM Abhay Pratap Singh told reporters that the demolition was carried out after repeated notices were ignored.
“We had given a 15-day notice to the caretakers, asking them to produce documents proving ownership or permission. They failed to do so, so we took action under the law,” Singh said.
However, community leaders question the fairness of this law. “Do they ask for documents from every temple or shrine in this state? Or only from Muslims?” asked Maulana Qasim of the Jama Masjid in Kashipur. “Why is there no survey of unauthorised Hindu shrines? The government is not looking for justice — it is looking for votes.”
This demolition is not an isolated event. According to government records, 537 religious structures — mostly tombs (mazaars), dargahs, and madrasas — have been razed in Uttarakhand since the demolition campaign started last year. The state government says it is acting against all encroachments, regardless of religion.
But facts on the ground tell a different story. No major action has been taken against unauthorised temples or Hindu religious places on public land.
“There are mandirs in Dehradun that openly use forest land, build halls, and host big events. Not one has been touched,” said Arshad Warsi, a lawyer from Haridwar. “The bulldozer is only being used against Muslims. This is a clear case of selective targeting.”
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been open about the intentions behind the campaign. Speaking to reporters last week, he said: “Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi — the land of the gods. We will not allow anyone to illegally take over our sacred land in the name of religion.”
He also warned that any attempt to “change the demography” through land encroachment would be met with strict action.
Critics say these statements are dangerous and politically motivated.
“Calling Uttarakhand ‘Devbhoomi’ is fine, but using that to justify attacks on Muslim structures is communal politics,” said Dr Sabiha Farooqui, a political analyst in Delhi. “The government is giving a signal to its supporters that Muslims do not belong here.”
In Kashipur, Muslims say they are living in fear. Many worry that their local shrines, madrasas, and even homes could be next.
“This bulldozer is not just a machine. It is a message — that we are second-class citizens,” said Bilal Khan, a shopkeeper in Kundeshwari. “We don’t feel safe anymore. Our children are asking why our places are being destroyed.”
There have been no protests so far, as locals fear police action. In previous cases, even peaceful demonstrations in the state have been met with arrests and FIRs.
Civil rights groups say that if the government truly believes in justice, it should talk to communities and seek peaceful solutions.
“If there was a problem with the location of these tombs, the authorities could have invited the community for dialogue,” said Advocate Shaista Parveen, who works with victims of demolition in northern India. “The idea is not to punish, but to find a solution. Bulldozers should not be the first step — they should be the last resort.”
Even some Hindus in the area have expressed discomfort with the action.
“I am a Hindu, but I don’t support injustice,” said Vinod Tiwari, a teacher in Kashipur. “This country belongs to everyone. If something is illegal, deal with it legally. But don’t use religion as a reason to break things.”
Activists say that hundreds of Hindu temples have been built without permission on pavements, hillsides, and government land across Uttarakhand — but not one has faced demolition under this campaign.
“In Dehradun alone, more than 300 temples have been built on public land. Why haven’t they been removed?” asked Rehan Siddiqui, a researcher at a human rights organisation. “It is not about law. It is about who you are.”
He pointed out that in many towns, Hindu shrines are set up using small statues or flags and later converted into concrete structures, all without clearance.
“If the government is really serious, let it remove those, too. But it won’t. Because this campaign is not about rules — it is about religion,” Siddiqui added.
Since the rise of bulldozer politics in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the machine has become a symbol of strength for the ruling BJP. Supporters say it shows decisive governance, but critics warn it is being used to bypass courts and human rights.
“In a democracy, justice means courts, hearings, and rights. Not bulldozers,” said Faizan Ahmad, a professor of political science. “Today it is a tomb. Tomorrow it could be your house. If we allow this kind of unchecked power, no one is safe.”
For Muslims in Uttarakhand, the issue is not just about the tombs. It is about belonging.
“We are not outsiders. We are Indians. Our ancestors are buried in these tombs. Is this how the country treats its own people?” said Nasir Ali, whose family had been caretakers of one of the razed tombs.
The community says it wants peace and safety, not conflict.
“We are not against the government. We are against injustice,” said Maulana Azhar, a cleric in the area. “Please talk to us. Don’t destroy our places without listening.”
So far, there has been no statement from the central government. Minority rights groups have written to the National Commission for Minorities, asking for an inquiry.
Meanwhile, social media remains divided, with some supporting the action and others warning of the dangers of using state machinery to target a particular group.
“This is not just about five tombs,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “This is about the soul of India. We must decide whether we want justice — or revenge politics.”
