Team Clarion
NUH – The Nuh district in Haryana has become the epicenter of a raging controversy as the state government undertook a massive demolition drive, resulting in the destruction of 1,208 structures, predominantly owned by the Muslim community. The destruction followed a recent bout of communal violence that claimed six lives and left 88 injured.
The Punjab & Haryana High Court intervened on August 7, raising concerns about the seemingly one-sided demolitions and questioned if it was an act of “ethnic cleansing.” The court’s intervention led to a temporary halt in the demolitions.
According to official data, the demolished properties were scattered across 11 towns and hamlets, including Nuh, Nalhar, Punhana, Tauru, and others. The state government cited various reasons for the demolitions, such as illegal encroachments on government land, unauthorized developments on forest land, structures without occupation certificates, and buildings without approved plans. However, the indiscriminate nature of the demolitions has raised questions, as a common thread emerged: most of the affected properties belonged to the Muslim community, reported Hindustan Times.
The Nuh Superintendent of Police, Narendra Bijarniya, defended the demolitions, stating that the action was taken against illegal constructions and individuals involved in “anti-social activities”. He asserted that the drive was carried out after repeated warnings were given to vacate certain lands.
The affected families, however, claimed that they were not given any prior notice or information about the impending demolitions. Liyakat Ali, a property owner, revealed that a demolition notice was posted just minutes before his tiles showroom was razed. Despite his property being registered and operational for six years, he received no prior communication from the administration.
Critics argue that the demolitions appear to disproportionately target a specific community, raising concerns of discrimination. The Haryana government’s decision to demolish properties allegedly involved in the communal violence has sparked outrage among affected families who maintain their innocence.
Adding to the controversy, the demolition of a Rohingya camp in Tauru on August 3 left over 250 shanties razed. Authorities argued that some of those involved in the Nuh violence were residing in the camp and that the shanties were built on Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) land. The Rohingya residents, many of whom are daily wage workers, were left in distress as their makeshift homes were destroyed without sufficient warning.
The situation further escalated as 50 Haryana panchayats issued letters barring the entry of Muslim traders, exacerbating tensions in the district.
Amid growing criticism and allegations of bias, the affected families have demanded evidence from the police to substantiate their alleged involvement in the Nuh violence. As the controversy unfolds, the district remains gripped by uncertainty and a deep sense of mistrust, highlighting the urgent need for transparent and equitable governance.