Authorities say the madrasa stood on government land reserved for a playground and was removed following a court order
UNNAO — A madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district was demolished by the district administration on Sunday after officials claimed that the structure was built illegally on government land reserved for a playground. The action came a day after people belonging to Bajrang Dal staged a protest demanding its demolition.
The operation took place in Isuniya village under the Makhi police station area, where officials from the district administration and police arrived with heavy security arrangements and began clearing the structure using bulldozers and excavators.
According to officials, the madrasa was operating on approximately 0.835 hectares of government land recorded in revenue documents as land reserved for sports and playground activities. The administration said the matter had been under consideration since 2018 and had gone through legal proceedings before the demolition was carried out.
Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kshitij Dwivedi said that the court had recently ordered the land to be freed from encroachment.
“The land is recorded in government records as a playground. Following the court’s order, a notice was issued to the madrasa management on June 3, asking them to remove the structure voluntarily,” he said.
Officials stated that when the management failed to remove the building within the stipulated period, the administration proceeded with the demolition.
The action came a day after Bajrang Dal workers held a protest in the village, alleging that the madrasa had been built illegally and demanding immediate administrative intervention. Protesters submitted memorandums to officials and called for the structure to be removed.
On Sunday, police personnel were deployed in large numbers around the site to prevent any disturbance during the operation. Authorities said the demolition was completed peacefully under official supervision.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the use of bulldozers in Uttar Pradesh, where several religious structures, homes and establishments belonging to members of minority communities have faced demolition drives in recent years. Civil rights groups and opposition parties have repeatedly argued that such actions should strictly follow legal procedures and should not create the impression of selective enforcement.
Locals gathered near the site during the demolition, while community members expressed concern over the loss of an educational institution that had been serving children in the area.
Officials, however, maintained that the action was based solely on land records and court directions.
“The administration is implementing the court’s order and reclaiming public land,” an official associated with the operation said.
District authorities have announced plans to secure the reclaimed land by fencing the area to prevent future encroachment. Officials also said the site would be developed as a playground for village children, with facilities aimed at promoting sports and outdoor activities.
The demolition has generated discussion across the district, with supporters of the action describing it as enforcement of land laws, while critics argue that authorities must ensure transparency and equal treatment in all cases involving religious and educational institutions.
No reports of violence were received during the operation, and security personnel remained deployed in the area as a precautionary measure. Authorities said the situation remained under control and appealed to residents to maintain peace.
