Following Mumbai’s Sukun Empire dispute, BJP leaders criticise the colony over alleged Hindu entry restrictions and plot sales
MEERUT — A fresh controversy has emerged in the Uttar Pradesh city of Meerut over the development of Abdullah Colony, raising concerns about religious discrimination and safety for Muslim residents in the region. The dispute comes shortly after the national debate surrounding Mumbai’s Sukun Empire, a Halal township project designed to provide a secure environment for minorities.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Minister of State for Energy Somendra Tomar, have alleged that Abdullah Colony restricts Hindu entry and prohibits plot sales to non-Muslims. In a letter to the District Magistrate of Meerut, Somendra Tomar demanded a high-level investigation into the colony’s map and ongoing construction. He warned, “If flaws are found after investigation, action will be taken, and the bulldozer will also roar.”
Abdullah Colony, under development for the past ten years on Hapur Road in Meerut’s South Assembly constituency, has become a focal point of communal tension. BJP leaders have raised objections to the colony’s name, which honours the developer’s son, claiming it signals religious exclusivity.
Speaking to the media, Somendra Tomar accused the developers of benefiting from previous governments’ protection and claimed that the current Yogi Adityanath administration would not tolerate illegal or discriminatory practices. “If discrimination is being done on the basis of religion, then it will not be tolerated,” he stated, reinforcing his threat of demolition.
However, opposition leaders and local residents view this as a politically motivated campaign against Muslims. RJD leader Izhar Hussain criticised the BJP for targeting minority communities, saying, “In recent times, hatred against Muslims has increased in BJP-ruled states. In Gujarat and other states, Muslims do not get possession even after buying houses legally in the colonies of the majority community. In such a situation, if they are settling colonies, then there is nothing wrong.”
He further added, “Instead of doing politics and spreading hatred, BJP governments should also focus on the safety of Muslims. Muslims are not asking for money from BJP governments; they are only asking for security. Somendra Tomar should put aside his double standards and see the reality with open eyes.”
Local residents highlighted past incidents of communal tension, including protests in Moradabad where Hindu families opposed Muslim buyers in predominantly Hindu colonies. One local, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled that in December 2024, protests erupted after a Muslim couple legally purchased a house in a posh Moradabad colony. He said, “Women along with Hindu organisations had demanded the cancellation of the purchase and insisted the house be sold to someone from the majority community.”
Abdullah Colony’s Muslim residents and supporters argue that their colony is a necessary response to repeated discrimination and the growing insecurity Muslims face in various states. “We are not asking for anything beyond safety and the right to live peacefully,” said a community representative. “Our children should not fear entering a colony just because of their religion.”
With tensions escalating, activists have called on state authorities to ensure the protection of minorities and prevent political interference in housing projects designed to safeguard marginalised communities. Analysts warn that unchecked communal politics could inflame further unrest, especially as similar disputes have emerged across Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and other BJP-ruled regions.
The controversy over Abdullah Colony now reflects a broader national debate over minority rights, urban housing, and the role of politics in exacerbating communal divisions. While BJP leaders continue to press for investigations and potential demolitions, Muslim leaders insist on recognition of their legal and constitutional rights, calling for the government to prioritise safety over partisan politics.
