Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), one of the premier Muslim organisations of the country, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to formulate guidelines for all states regarding bulldozer actions.
In a statement, Maulana Arshad Madani, Jamiat president, praised the court’s comments during a hearing on Monday on the ongoing bulldozer actions in several states, particularly those governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the Supreme Court has highlighted the issue of demolishing properties of alleged offenders. The court remarked that even if someone is a criminal, his property should not be destroyed, emphasising that it was unacceptable to demolish someone’s home just because he is accused of a crime.
A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan scheduled the next hearing for September 17. The court also directed the parties involved to provide recommendations regarding the guidelines to control the bulldozer actions.
Maulana Madani stated that we had requested the court that bulldozers should not be used against anyone’s properties. He further remarked that once the Supreme Court issues guidelines, state governments will be legally bound to enforce them. “We hope that the final decision will also be in favour of the victims,” he said.
Regarding Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta’s remarks targeting Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind once again, Maulana Madani responded that his party’s mission was to provide justice to the oppressed and serve humanity impartially. “Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind seeks justice for all those who have been subjected to bulldozer actions. In areas where demolition has occurred under the threat of firearms, the people are living in fear. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind approached the Supreme Court based on the requests of the affected individuals and justice-loving citizens,” he said.
During Monday’s hearing, the Solicitor General of India informed the court that an affidavit had been submitted in the petition of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Diary No. 11955/2022.
While presenting on behalf of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, senior advocate CU Singh informed the court that, to date, only the Uttar Pradesh government has submitted an affidavit, which was referenced by the Solicitor General of India. The Solicitor General stated that demolition of properties cannot be justified solely on the basis that someone is an accused in a case. Justice Gavai remarked that he wished to record the Solicitor General’s statement. In response, the Solicitor General confirmed that he stands by his statement but suggested that it should be recorded only after the court has heard all arguments thoroughly.
The court has directed all parties, including state governments, to submit their recommendations by September 13.
Advocate Singh informed the court that bulldozer actions initially started in Uttar Pradesh and have now spread to various states, making it essential to put a stop to them. He further stated that a specific community is being continuously targeted, and the rule of law is being flagrantly violated.
He stated that even after the Supreme Court’s order concerning the demolition around the Jahangirpuri Jama Masjid, the demolition of shops and homes continued for an additional hour and a half. During this time, the affected individuals repeatedly informed the police and MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) officials that news channels were reporting that the Supreme Court had immediately halted the demolition activities. They requested that the demolition be stopped. Unfortunately, this reprehensible process was not halted, and the demolition continued unabated.
In 2022, the Supreme Court took serious notice of illegal bulldozer actions on Muslim properties in various states, including Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand. The court had issued a notice to the central government and the concerned states, seeking responses regarding these demolitions.
Recently, bulldozer actions targeting Muslim properties have occurred again in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, bringing the issue back into the spotlight. Last week, lawyers requested an expedited hearing on the matter, leading to Monday’s court session. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging these bulldozer actions across various states, including Delhi.
