The administration says the boundary wall and room were built on government land reserved for a public pathway
SAMBHAL — Another demolition drive involving a Muslim religious site has taken place in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, where authorities on Wednesday used bulldozers to remove portions of an Eidgah in Daulatpur Khan village of Gunnaur tehsil, citing alleged encroachment on government land.
The action is the latest in a series of demolition drives carried out in different parts of Sambhal in recent months. Several mosques, mazars, madrasas and other structures associated with the minority community have faced administrative action under anti-encroachment campaigns, leading to growing concern among local Muslims.
According to officials, the latest operation was conducted in Daulatpur Khan village, where the administration alleged that a boundary wall and a room connected to the Eidgah had been constructed illegally on land earmarked as a public pathway.
The demolition began on Wednesday morning when revenue department officials, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the site with heavy machinery. News of the operation quickly spread through the village, prompting locals to gather near the site.
Witnesses said the arrival of bulldozers and police created anxiety among members of the minority community.
Locals described the Eidgah as a long-standing religious site used by Muslims during Eid prayers and other religious gatherings. While officials stressed that only the allegedly unauthorised portions were removed, villagers said the action had caused distress within the community.
Authorities maintained that the operation was carried out only after legal procedures had been followed.
Officials from Gunnaur tehsil stated that the Eidgah management committee had previously been served notices regarding the alleged encroachment. According to the administration, the committee was informed that the construction stood on government land reserved for a public road and was asked to remove the structures voluntarily.
“The committee was issued notices and given sufficient time to remove the unauthorised construction,” an official said. “When no action was taken within the stipulated period, the administration proceeded with demolition in accordance with the law.”
The administration said the purpose of the action was to restore government land and reopen the public pathway that had allegedly been occupied.
Officials insisted that the drive was part of a broader campaign against encroachments and was not directed at any particular community.
“Government land cannot be occupied by anyone. The rules are the same for all, and action is taken wherever encroachments are identified,” a member of the administrative team said.
However, the latest demolition has intensified concerns among Muslims in the district, many of whom point to a series of recent actions involving religious sites linked to the community.
Over the past several weeks, demolition drives in different villages of Sambhal have targeted structures including mosques, madrasas and shrines. Community members say the repeated operations have created uncertainty and fear among locals.
Several villagers questioned why religious sites that had existed for years were suddenly facing scrutiny.
A resident said many people were worried about the future of other religious institutions in the area.
“Whenever people hear that officials are coming with bulldozers, there is immediate concern in the community. Many religious places have existed for a long time, and people are anxious about what might happen next,” he said.
Community leaders have repeatedly called for greater transparency and dialogue before demolition actions are carried out, particularly when religious structures are involved.
Some local representatives argue that authorities should explore alternative solutions, including legal review, mediation and consultation with affected communities before taking action against places of worship.
Legal observers note that disputes involving religious structures often become sensitive because they affect not only property rights but also the social and religious lives of the residents.
They say administrations must ensure that due process is followed and that affected parties are given a meaningful opportunity to present their case.
The latest action in Daulatpur Khan has also revived debate over the increasing use of bulldozers in anti-encroachment campaigns across Uttar Pradesh.
Supporters of such drives argue that government land must be protected from illegal occupation regardless of who occupies it. Critics, however, contend that demolitions involving religious sites require particular care because of their emotional and cultural significance.
For many Muslims in Sambhal, Wednesday’s demolition is not being viewed in isolation but as part of a broader pattern of action against minority religious institutions.
Residents say the issue is not only about land ownership but also about preserving places that serve as centres of community life and religious practice.
As discussions continue, the incident is likely to add to the ongoing debate over land rights, religious sites and the implementation of anti-encroachment policies.
For now, the demolished portions of the Eidgah stand as another reminder of the tensions that can arise when questions of public land, religious identity and administrative enforcement intersect in local communities.
The administration maintains that the operation was a routine enforcement action aimed at clearing a public pathway. Many local Muslims, however, see it as part of a series of developments that have left them increasingly concerned about the future of religious institutions in the district.
With further anti-encroachment drives expected in various parts of the state, community leaders are urging authorities to adopt a transparent and consultative approach that addresses legal concerns while also respecting the religious sentiments of affected residents.
