Authorities in Uttar Pradesh claim encroachment on government land. Locals allege selective targeting of minorities
JAUNPUR — A tense atmosphere gripped Muarki village in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district on Wednesday when the administration carried out a demolition drive at the residence of the sitting Gram Pradhan, Sadiq Ahmed. Officials alleged that Ahmed had “illegally encroached upon government’s water department land,” but the action has triggered outrage among villagers, particularly within the Muslim community, who see it as yet another instance of selective targeting under the Yogi Adityanath government.
The demolition, supervised by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kerakat, Shailendra Kumar, took place amid heavy police presence. “The action was carried out strictly under legal orders issued by the Tehsildar court,” said a senior officer at the site. “Around eight biswa of government land was under illegal occupation and has now been vacated,” he added.
However, villagers told a very different story. “This is pure discrimination,” said Mohammad Jameel, a local resident. “There are hundreds of encroachments in this area, but only the Muslim Pradhan’s house was targeted. The administration ignored the Supreme Court’s stay on demolitions.”
Another villager, Fatima Begum, said in tears, “They came with bulldozers as if we were criminals. They didn’t even allow us to take out our belongings. Everything gone in minutes.”
Critics and legal experts have pointed out that the Supreme Court had earlier ordered a halt to all demolition drives across the country without proper legal notice or verification. Despite this, bulldozers continue to roll in several parts of Uttar Pradesh.
“This kind of action violates not only the Supreme Court’s directive but also basic human rights,” said Tariq Hasan, a local lawyer. “The administration should have issued a formal notice, given time for appeal, and followed due process. But here, the bulldozer came first, and law came later.”
The demolition in Muarki is not an isolated case. In recent years, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a string of similar actions, mostly against Muslim individuals and leaders. Human rights activists argue that the bulldozer has become a political symbol of intimidation.
“This is not governance; this is punishment politics,” said Asad Rizvi, a social activist from Jaunpur. “Whenever a Muslim name appears in an administrative file, the bulldozer follows. It’s creating fear and resentment in society.”
Local residents have also expressed fear for their safety. “People are scared to even question the authorities,” said Imran Khan, a shopkeeper. “We feel helpless. The same government officials who should protect citizens are now demolishing homes of the poor and the voiceless.”
The district administration, however, maintains that the action was lawful. “This was a government property under the water department, and the Tehsildar court had ordered eviction,” said SDM Shailendra Kumar. “We followed due procedure, and the area has been cleared as per law.”
Officials added that the government would continue to “free public land from encroachers” and “monitor illegal constructions.”
In the aftermath of the demolition, the mood in Muarki remains grim. Broken walls and scattered belongings stand as silent witnesses to the operation. “They can call it government land, but for us, it was our home,” said Sadiq Ahmed. “If I had truly done something illegal, I should have been given a chance to prove my side in court. They didn’t even listen.”
His words echo a growing sentiment among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh — that bulldozers have become a tool of political messaging rather than justice.
As night fell over Muarki, villagers gathered around the debris, exchanging fearful glances. “We just want equality before the law,” said one elderly resident softly. “Is that too much to ask in this country?”
