The court stays eviction order on Gadhiya Mosque, giving Muslims in Kushinagar much-needed relief from the controversial bulldozer action
NEW DELHI – The Allahabad High Court has stepped in to halt the controversial bulldozer action on the Gadhiya Mosque and Idgah in Tamkuhiraj in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar. The court’s decision has brought temporary relief to the Muslim community, who had feared the demolition of their religious place under the Yogi Adityanath government’s bulldozer drive.
The dispute over the Gadhiya Mosque, located in Gadhiya Chintamani village, escalated when the administration issued an eviction order, claiming the mosque and the Idgah were on government land that had allegedly been encroached upon. The notice from Tamkuhiraj Tehsil, issued on January 20, set a deadline of April 8 for the removal of the encroachment. This led to panic within the Muslim community, as the bulldozer was perceived as part of a wider pattern of demolitions of religious structures belonging to minorities.
Muslim representatives immediately challenged the eviction order in the Allahabad High Court. The court, after hearing the petition, has ordered a stay on the demolition, ruling that no bulldozer action will take place until the lower court settles the matter. In its directive, the high court has instructed the lower court to decide the case within six months, ensuring that no further actions will be taken during this period.
“This is a relief for the Muslim community, which had been living under the threat of losing their place of worship and cultural heritage,” said one of the petitioners. “The court’s intervention has prevented unnecessary tension and has restored a sense of security for us.”
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Waqf law and its implications for the ownership of religious properties. The delay in the resolution of such disputes has left many religious sites in limbo, contributing to growing anxiety among the minority community.
The administration’s decision to issue the eviction order on the mosque has raised concerns over the political motives behind such actions, with critics accusing the government of using bulldozer politics to target religious minorities. The Muslim side has firmly denied the allegations of encroachment, asserting that the mosque has existed on the land for decades and that the eviction order is unwarranted.
“The administration’s attempt to bulldoze the mosque not only disrupts our religious practices but also represents a deeper issue of marginalisation,” another resident explained. “This court order is a victory for justice and religious freedom.”
As the case now moves to the lower court, the temporary stay imposed by the high court will continue to provide a sense of calm in the area. The final verdict is yet to come, but for now, the bulldozer’s destructive path has been halted, and the Muslim community in Kushinagar can breathe easier, at least for the time being.
