Facing rising pressure from Hindu groups and government orders, local Muslims in Chintamani Gadhiya village razed the mosque themselves to avoid any conflict
NEW DELHI/KUSHINAGAR — Muslims in Chintamani Gadhiya village of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh have begun demolishing a mosque and an adjoining Idgah after receiving a notice from the district administration.
The decision came after growing protests by Hindu groups and an official notice warning of bulldozer action.
The mosque, known locally as the Gadhiya Masjid, stood on revenue land listed under Gata numbers 645 and 648. According to officials, the mosque and Idgah were constructed on government-owned land many years ago. Hindu organisations, especially the Sanatani Sena, led by its president Arvind Kishore Shahi, had objected to the mosque and lodged a complaint with the district authorities.
Following this, the administration acted. On 27 October 2024, the Tehsil office passed an eviction order under Section 67 of the Revenue Code. A final notice was pasted on the mosque on 3 March 2025, stating that bulldozers would be brought in to remove the structure.
Despite efforts from the Muslim community to seek legal relief — including appeals in the ADM court and the Allahabad High Court — no decision came in their favour. The high court asked the ADM to decide the matter within six months, and in a hearing completed in three months, the Tehsildar’s order was upheld.
Rather than waiting for the government to act, Muslim residents and members of the mosque committee started demolishing the structure themselves using hammers and tools.
A member of the mosque committee, who asked not to be named, said: “We did not want to give anyone an excuse to spread hatred. We know the law, and we choose to obey it peacefully. Our religion teaches patience.”
Another resident, Mohammad Salman, shared his disappointment but stressed the importance of calm: “We are sad, but we don’t want any violence or tension. We want to live in peace with our neighbours. If the court did not support us, we had no other option.”
The action by the Muslim community has become a topic of conversation across the Tamkuhiraj tehsil. Many local people, including Hindus, have quietly appreciated the peaceful way in which the matter was handled.
However, the incident also highlights the increasing pressure on Muslim religious sites and institutions in Uttar Pradesh. In recent months, several protests have been reported against mosques, Idgahs, tombs and madrasas, often led by right-wing Hindu groups.
Commenting on the situation, a local teacher who wished to stay anonymous said: “What worries me is that such places existed peacefully for decades. Now people are suddenly targeting them. What changed? Is it politics?”
Officials from the administration said they were only following the rules. A senior officer said, “We are acting as per legal orders. No construction is allowed on government land. This will apply equally to everyone, no matter their religion.”
The demolition of the Gadhiya Masjid by the Muslim community itself is being seen by many as an act of maturity and a strong message of peace, but also as a sign of growing concern over the shrinking space for minorities to practise their faith freely.
As bulldozers were expected but did not arrive, what remained instead were broken walls — and a quiet reminder of the times we live in.
