In Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, bulldozers have become a tool of collective punishment, with demolitions often taking place after minor communal clashes or unfounded allegations
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Congress MP Dr Mohammed Jawed, representing Kishanganj constituency in Bihar, on Wednesday moved a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss the issues related to hate speeches, mob lynching, Islamophobia and illegal demolitions of Muslim homes and properties.
On X, Jawed said: “Moved an Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha today highlighting rising hate speech, mob violence, and illegal demolitions which is a threat to Constitutional values”.
“The country is witnessing an alarming and deeply distressing pattern that threatens the very fabric of our secular and constitutional democracy – the increasing instances of hate speech, Islamophobia, mob lynching, and illegal demolitions of Muslim homes and properties. These incidents are no longer isolated but form a systematic attempt to marginalise and terrorise the Muslim community,” reads the motion addressing to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha.
The Congress MP cited the incident of three Muslim children assaulted and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district. This week, a disturbing video of the incident showing a youth hitting the three victims with a slipper repeatedly had gone viral sparking outrage and protest.
“In the last three months alone, there have been shocking examples of such targeted hatred and violence. In Satna, Madhya Pradesh, three minor Muslim boys were severely beaten for refusing to chant Jai Shree Ram, an incident that reflects both the physical and emotional trauma inflicted on our children simply because of their faith. In Moradabad protests erupted over the sale of a house to a Muslim family, with residents openly opposing their presence,” he noted in his motion.
“Such targeted exclusion amounts to modern-day ghettoisation and communal segregation. Instances of mob lynching based on false allegations of carrying or consuming beef continue unabated. In Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, Muslims were brutally attacked, and in some cases killed, by self-styled vigilantes. The perpetrators, emboldened by administrative inaction, act with chilling impunity, while families of the victims continue to struggle for justice,” he added.
Jawed also drew attention towards the demolition of houses and properties owned by Muslims calling it “collective punishment”.
“Another deeply concerning trend is the selective demolition of homes and businesses belonging to Muslims under the guise of illegal encroachment or construction. In Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, bulldozers have become a tool of collective punishment, with demolitions often taking place after minor communal clashes or unfounded allegations. These actions violate not only the principles of natural justice but also recent Supreme Court rulings,” noted the motion.
The Congress MP noted the judgment of the Supreme Court which barred the authorities from demolishing the house of an accused and laid down the guidelines for the demolition drives.
“In April 2022, in the case of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind v. Union of India, the Supreme Court strongly condemned the use of bulldozers as an extra-judicial punishment and stated that no demolition must occur without proper notice and due legal process. The Court emphasised that such practices amount to “retributive justice” and undermine the rule of law,” he said.
The adjournment motion also mentioned the Supreme Court judgment issuing directives against mob lynching and laying out a detailed set of guidelines for the state governments including the appointment of nodal officers, quick registration of FIRs and compensation for victims. “The court held that the State must act promptly, as any failure to prevent such violence is a violation of constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21. Despite these rulings, enforcement on the ground remains grossly inadequate and the perpetrators continue to evade justice while victims’ families suffer in silence,” he noted.
“Honourable Speaker, it is imperative that this House and the government take immediate notice of this dangerous trend. The growing atmosphere of hatred, exclusion and violence is not only damaging the social fabric of our country but also eroding faith in our democratic institutions. I urge the government to take the following steps with immediate effect: strict implementation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines against mob lynching and bulldozing, swift action against hate speech perpetrators, and legal accountability for officials failing to enforce the law. This house must reaffirm its commitment to the ideals of justice, equality, and secularism enshrined in our Constitution. We cannot allow divisive forces to succeed in their attempt to fragment our great nation,” stated Jawed in his motion.
