The madrasa was allotted 4 bighas and 16 biswa of land in 2021 by the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government
Team Clarion
UDAIPUR – In a controversial move, the Rajasthan government has canceled the land allotment for a madrasa in the Mavli town of Udaipur District, which was previously allocated during the tenure of the Congress-led Ashok Gehlot government. The decision, made after protests from Hindu organisations, has led to discontent among Muslims, who view the cancellation as another instance of discrimination.
The Muslim community has expressed frustration and sorrow over the cancellation, seeing it as a targeted attempt to marginalise it. “We are Indian, and this is our land too,” said Mohammad Imran, a local resident. “It is really sad that Hindu groups continuously try to push us down. When the government gives something to Hindus, we never raise our voice against it, but when it’s about supporting poor Muslims, why is there always a problem?”
The protests, organised by the Sarva Hindu Samaj, were centred around opposition to the land allotted for the madrasa on 28 January 2022. A large number of demonstrators participated, with regional MP and former BJP state president CP Joshi accusing the Gehlot government of favouring a particular section of society. “The land was allocated with no proper justification, purely for political gain,” said Joshi during his address.
Following these protests, the Udaipur District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal recommended the cancellation of the allotment, which was promptly acted upon by the state administration. The government has also announced that action will be taken against the employee who allegedly provided a flawed report supporting the initial land allocation.
This decision has sparked outrage in the Muslim community, especially among those who see it as a hindrance to progress. “Poor Muslims are living here,” said a local leader. “If we try to uplift them by building a madrasa or supporting their education, why does it become a problem for Hindu groups? We don’t object when the government helps Hindus, but when it’s about us, there is always backlash.”
The protests in Mavli led to widespread unrest, with businesses closing down during the demonstrations. Security forces were deployed in several towns, including Fatehnagar, Sanwar, Ghasa, and Khemli to maintain order.
This is the first instance in Rajasthan where the state government has reversed a land allotment for a madrasa, a move that has raised questions about communal harmony and the fairness of political decisions. The madrasa was allotted 4 bighas and 16 biswa of land in 2021, but with the change in government, the allocation has been rescinded, further deepening political and social tensions in the state.
Muslim community members continue to express their disappointment, pointing to what they see as growing bias against their efforts for education and welfare.
