Muslim residents express anger and fear after officials claim a mosque and homes in Hatim Sarai stand on government land; locals call it selective targeting
SAMBHAL — A wave of anger and unease has spread through the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal after district authorities issued a notice to demolish a mosque in Hatim Sarai, claiming it was built on government land. The action follows the recent removal of another mosque in Asmoli, deepening concerns among locals about what they describe as a “targeted campaign” against Muslim religious institutions.
According to officials, the mosque in Hatim Sarai is allegedly constructed on a government pond site. Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh stated that the administration received information about the “unauthorised construction” nearly 12 years ago. “When our team reached the spot, neither the mutawalli nor any member of the mosque committee was present,” he said.
A notice has been pasted on the mosque wall, giving the committee 15 days to present valid documents proving ownership or authorisation. If the papers are not submitted within this period, authorities say demolition will proceed. The Revenue Department has also issued notices to residents of about 80 houses said to be built on the same site, asking them to remove the structures themselves within the stipulated time.
However, locals have rejected the government’s claim, insisting that the mosque has existed peacefully for years and serves hundreds of worshippers daily. “This is not an illegal mosque; it has been part of our lives for more than a decade,” said Mohammad Arif, a resident of Hatim Sarai. “We have seen people praying here every day, and no one ever questioned it until now. Why suddenly now?”
Another local, Shakir Ahmed, accused the authorities of discrimination. “Whenever it is about a mosque or madrasa, they immediately call it illegal. But what about hundreds of temples or encroachments that stand on government land across Uttar Pradesh? Why are only Muslim sites being marked?” he asked.
The tehsil administration maintains that the mosque committee had never officially taken responsibility for its construction. “The matter is under review, and if the documents are not satisfactory, we will take action as per law,” said Singh. He added that surveillance teams were keeping a “close watch on unauthorised constructions.”
The incident has reignited fears among Muslims in Sambhal, who say that recent months have seen a rise in administrative actions against mosques and madrasas in the state. Just last month, the Gosulbara Mosque in Asmoli’s Raya Buzurg village was dismantled after the local administration labelled it as an illegal structure. The mosque’s committee, under pressure, demolished the building themselves with a JCB machine in the presence of officials.
“It was heartbreaking to watch our mosque being torn down,” said Abdul Rahman, a member of the Gosulbara Mosque committee. “We had no choice. The administration gave us only four days and warned of heavy police action. We followed their order to avoid confrontation.”
Community leaders in Sambhal have condemned what they call “one-sided enforcement” and demanded a fair investigation into land ownership claims before taking such harsh measures. “We are not against law and order,” said Maulana Jameel Qasmi, a religious scholar. “But if the government truly believes in justice, it should act equally against all illegal constructions, not only Muslim ones. Selective targeting will only breed more mistrust and division.”
Many residents fear that the demolition drive is part of a broader pattern that undermines the sense of security among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Local activists say that rather than dialogue or verification, authorities are resorting to bulldozer politics. “Bulldozers are becoming a symbol of fear for Muslims,” said social worker Nasir Khan. “Before checking the facts, they label everything ‘illegal’ and bring machines to destroy it. This is not administration; this is intimidation.”
Despite the growing discontent, officials have denied any communal bias. They insist that the actions are strictly legal and aimed at reclaiming government land. But the timing and nature of these operations — focused mainly on Muslim-majority localities — have raised serious questions.
For now, the people of Hatim Sarai wait anxiously, hoping that the administration will reconsider and give them a fair chance to prove their case. “All we ask is justice,” said Arif quietly. “A mosque is not just a building; it is the heart of our faith. If they demolish it without truth, they will demolish our trust too.”
