The action follows suicide by a Scheduled Caste girl, sparking fears of communal bias and violation of legal protections
KHANDWA/NEW DELHI — In a highly controversial move, the district administration of Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh demolished the house of Arbaaz, a Muslim youth accused in a “love jihad” case, raising serious questions about the targeting of Muslim citizens despite Supreme Court orders against “bulldozer justice”.
The incident stems from the tragic suicide of a young girl from a Scheduled Caste family on October 29. The girl allegedly consumed poison in the Harsud police station area, reportedly distressed by repeated threats from Arbaaz over her arranged marriage elsewhere.
Local witnesses stated, “She was constantly harassed and threatened. She felt trapped and hopeless. This pushed her to take such a drastic step.”
Following her death, Hindu organisations gathered outside the police station, placing the girl’s body on the road in protest and blocking traffic, demanding the arrest of Arbaaz. During the return from the protest, these organisations reportedly set Arbaaz’s home ablaze. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time, and there were no casualties, though the house and its contents were completely destroyed.
Eyewitnesses said, “The house was entirely gutted. Everything inside was lost. It was shocking to see the level of violence.”
Despite this, police arrested Arbaaz and his family, who remain in custody, and filed a case of “love jihad” against them. Subsequently, the Municipal Council issued a notice of alleged encroachment on Arbaaz’s house.
On Wednesday, the Khandwa district administration, accompanied by a heavy police contingent, carried out the demolition of the property. Critics argue that such actions disproportionately target Muslim citizens and appear to bypass legal safeguards.
Legal experts have expressed concern over the growing trend of bulldozer actions against Muslims in the country, particularly in BJP-ruled states, noting that these continue despite repeated Supreme Court instructions to halt such demolitions.
A local activist commented, “It is worrying to see bulldozers being used as instruments of fear against a particular community. The law should protect everyone equally, not selectively.”
The incident has sparked broader unrest in Madhya Pradesh. In Raisen district, reports indicate that Hindu groups, angry over delayed arrests of a Muslim accused of raping a minor, vandalised a mosque and targeted Muslim-owned shops and homes, further escalating communal tensions.
Human rights observers have called for immediate intervention, stating, “Such acts of collective punishment undermine the rule of law. Targeting an entire family or community for the alleged actions of one individual is unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The Khandwa case highlights the urgent need for authorities to adhere strictly to legal processes and protect vulnerable communities from mob violence. As the investigation continues, many fear that continued administrative actions like bulldozing homes could deepen communal divisions and compromise justice.
A resident of Harsud remarked, “We live in constant fear. If one person is accused, the entire family is punished. How is this justice?”
The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised that demolitions must not be used as a punitive measure against accused individuals without due process of law. Legal analysts say that ignoring these directives threatens the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution.
