DEORIA — Arrests have begun in Deoria days after the demolition of a dargah and parts of a mosque, heightening fear among Muslims who allege that state action is being used to silence dissent and criminalise religious institutions.
Police confirmed the arrest of Afasana, a local woman, and Siraj Ansari, a youth, for allegedly posting critical remarks on social media about the demolition. A case has also been registered against four members of the dargah committee, along with the then law officer and lekhpal, over allegations related to land records.
The action follows the demolition of the dargah of Hazrat Syed Shaheed Abdul Ghani, located near the Gorakhpur overbridge. On January 11 and 12, bulldozers damaged the shrine’s dome and a hall measuring approximately 4,000 square feet. The 50-year-old shrine has long served as a place of prayer and remembrance for local Muslims.
Residents allege that the arrests are intended to intimidate the community. “They broke the dome and now they are breaking our voices,” said a local worshipper. “People are being picked up simply for expressing themselves on social media.”
The district administration maintains that the shrine was built on barren land and was illegally recorded in revenue records in 1993. Officials said a court case had earlier declared the land as barren. A senior district official stated, “The revenue records did not establish a legal basis for the entry, so action was taken in accordance with the report.”
Muslim leaders dispute the administration’s claims and cite official Waqf documentation. The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board has stated that the shrine is registered as Waqf No. 19 in Deoria, listed as “Mazar Abdul Ghani Shah Baba and qabristan Karnalah” under Waqf-alal-khair. According to the records, the property falls under Khasra No. 1647, covers 0.120 hectare, and has clearly defined boundaries.
“The Waqf papers are clear,” said a member of the dargah committee. “Calling the shrine illegal disregards official records and decades of history. Such actions deeply hurt the faith of Indian Muslims.”
The Waqf Board has written to the Deoria District Magistrate seeking a halt to further demolition. In response, the district administration has asked the Board to delete the shrine from its list, stating that demolition has been paused until a final decision is taken.
The demolition drive was triggered by a complaint filed in June 2025 by Deoria Sadar MLA Shalabh Mani Tripathi, who alleged that the shrine was illegal. Muslim groups argue that the complaint reflects political pressure and selective enforcement. “Only Muslim religious sites are being targeted by bulldozers,” said a community elder. “This is not merely about land—it is about power.”
Civil rights advocates have warned that arrests over online criticism undermine freedom of expression. “Posting against a demolition should not lead to imprisonment,” said a local lawyer. “The law must protect citizens, not intimidate them.”
For many Muslims in Deoria, the controversy extends beyond a single shrine. “This is our home and our country,” said a family member of Siraj Ansari. “Speaking up should not be treated as a crime.”
