Residents of Chandausi and Bahraich watch as properties, including a mosque and madrasa, are demolished for alleged illegal land occupation
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW – In a controversial and highly charged move, bulldozers have razed 45 shops, a mosque, and a madrasa in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh, sparking outrage and anger among the local Muslim community. The demolitions, which took place in Chandausi and Bahraich, were part of a government crackdown on alleged illegal land occupation.
On the first day of the operation, authorities claimed that these properties were built on municipal land without legal approval. In Chandausi’s Waris Nagar area, the administration insisted that the mosque and the 45 shops stood on 6 bighas of land that had been illegally occupied by the local Muslim community. “After conducting an investigation, we found no record of the mosque and shops in the municipality’s documents. The land was occupied illegally,” said Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh.
As bulldozers began tearing down the buildings, local residents watched helplessly as the walls crumbled bit by bit. Imam Nazim of the mosque, visibly angered, condemned the action, calling it a deliberate attempt to target Muslims. “This mosque was not built on illegal land,” he said forcefully. “This is an attack on us, pure and simple. They want to create fear among our community. If these structures were built illegally, then the officials who allowed this to happen should also be held accountable. Why are only Muslims being punished?”
Several other residents also voiced their frustration, expressing disbelief that a place of worship would be demolished in such a manner. “This is not just about land; it is about our rights as Muslims being trampled upon,” one local shopkeeper remarked. “They are breaking down our homes, our livelihoods, and our places of worship. It’s a humiliation, and it’s happening just because we are Muslims.”
The anger in the area was palpable, with many people gathering to protest the demolitions. “We are being unfairly targeted. They are bulldozing everything in our way, just to send a message of fear to the Muslim community,” said another resident, his voice trembling with emotion. “It’s like they are trying to erase our presence here.”
In Bahraich, the situation was no different. A madrasa in Bulbul Nawaz village, built on land that had once been used for a barn, was also demolished after a PIL led to a court order. Despite being constructed over three decades ago, the madrasa was razed by bulldozers under heavy security forces. “An order was issued to remove the encroachment, and we complied with it,” confirmed Tehsildar Nanpara Ambika Prasad Chaudhary.
However, many in the local Muslim community saw the demolition of the madrasa as part of the same pattern of discrimination. “Why didn’t they take action all these years? It was only when the High Court got involved that they started targeting us. Why now, when so many years have passed?” one of the madrasa’s teachers asked, visibly upset. “This is not about land. It’s about them trying to control us, intimidate us. They want to silence our voice.”
The demolitions have ignited widespread protests and drawn condemnation from Muslims across the region, with many questioning the fairness of such actions. “It’s clear that these actions are politically motivated, targeting Muslims to create division. Why don’t they go after all the illegal structures, not just those built by Muslims?” asked a local activist Shahnwaz Ansari.
The Muslim community in both Chandausi and Bahraich is now left to deal with the aftermath, not only of the physical destruction but also the emotional toll of feeling singled out and persecuted. As the dust settles, there remains a deep sense of injustice and anger among the people, who fear that the bulldozer actions are just the beginning of a larger effort to marginalise their community.
