Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath government has demolished 29 madrasas and five mazars in Maharajganj alone
MAHARJGANJ – The light of knowledge and faith, kindled by Indian Muslims over decades, faces a growing shadow in Uttar Pradesh. The government’s aggressive actions against mosques, madrasas, mazars, and Eidgahs along the India-Nepal border districts have sparked widespread concern among local Muslim communities. With over 300 Islamic religious places targeted, the recent sealing of the 20-year-old Madrasa Qadriya Ashraful Uloom in Maharajganj marks yet another blow to Muslim education and heritage.
The Yogi Adityanath-led government has ordered strict enforcement measures within a 10-kilometre radius of the Nepal border, resulting in the demolition and sealing of Islamic sites. In the Maharajganj district alone, 29 madrasas, five mazars, and Eidgahs have been razed. Similar actions have been taken in Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpuri Kheri, and Pilibhit, reflecting a pattern of state-backed pressure on Muslim institutions.
On 30 May, the district administration sealed the Madrasa Qadriya Ashraful Uloom, situated in Jara, Sonauli Nagar Panchayat, just five kilometres from the border. This madrasa, which has been serving the Muslim community for 20 years, was shut down for allegedly operating without valid documents. Officials claim the madrasa failed to produce the necessary paperwork despite repeated requests.
Irshad Khan, former Pradhan and a resident of Jara, expressed his distress: “This madrasa has been a beacon of education for our children for two decades. Its closure is not just an administrative action; it is an attack on our right to learn and practice our faith. The community feels abandoned and targeted.” He further stated that although the zonal Lekhpal had demanded valid documents about the land, the madrasa management was unable to meet the imposed deadlines.
The targeting of Islamic religious places under the guise of legality raises serious questions about the motives behind these actions. Critics argue that the state government is using bureaucratic pretexts to marginalise the Muslim community, erasing centuries of cultural and religious presence in this sensitive border region.
A local community leader from Siddharthnagar, requesting anonymity, said: “The demolition of more than 300 madrasas, mosques, mazars, and Eidgahs across seven districts is unprecedented. These places are not illegal but vital centres for religious practice and education. The government’s actions are causing fear and unrest among Muslims, who have peacefully coexisted here for generations.”
Furthermore, several members of the Muslim community voiced concerns that the demolition and sealing of these places compromise not only religious freedom but also the future of Muslim education. “Madrasas like Qadriya Ashraful Uloom have been educating children when there were limited options available,” said Amina Begum, a parent of two students at the madrasa. “The government’s actions are putting our children’s education at risk, leaving families in despair.”
According to official reports, the administration claims these actions are necessary to clear government land and remove structures that do not meet legal standards. However, locals argue that many of these places have longstanding historical roots, with some dating back several decades.
Legal expert and rights activist Zafar Ali remarked, “The mass demolition of Muslim religious institutions on such a scale without adequate rehabilitation or dialogue infringes on constitutional rights. It creates an atmosphere of fear and alienation, undermining the social fabric of these districts.”
The Muslim community’s plea is clear: They seek recognition of their right to education, worship, and cultural preservation without fear of harassment or demolition. The sealing of the Madrasa Qadriya Ashraful Uloom stands as a stark symbol of the broader crisis faced by Indian Muslims in the region.
The actions of the Uttar Pradesh government in Maharajganj and neighbouring districts reveal a pattern of targeting Muslim religious and educational centres, raising concerns about religious discrimination and marginalisation. As these demolitions continue, the people affected remain hopeful for justice and the protection of their rights.
For 20 years, the Madrasa Qadriya Ashraful Uloom has been a symbol of learning, faith, and community strength. Its closure, alongside the demolition of hundreds of Islamic religious sites, sends a troubling message about the future of the country’s Muslims in the border districts of Uttar Pradesh. There is an urgent need for fair treatment, protection of religious freedoms, and support for minority communities facing state-sanctioned suppression.
