The notice, which mandates the demolition of these religious structures by 8 April 2025, has sparked concerns about the targeting of Muslim places of worship in the state.
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A wave of anxiety has swept through the Muslim community in Gadhiya Chintaman village of Tamkuhiraj Tehsil, Kushinagar, following an eviction notice issued against the Gadhiya Masjid, its adjoining madrasa, and the Idgah. The notice, which mandates the demolition of these religious structures by 8 April 2025, has sparked concerns about the targeting of Muslim places of worship in the state.
The notice, issued by the local administration, states that the mosque and Idgah are allegedly built on Gram Sabha land and must be removed voluntarily by the given deadline. If the structures are not removed by then, the government has warned that demolition will be carried out using bulldozers.
According to official records, the Tehsil Court passed the eviction order on 27 January 2025, citing encroachment on government land. In line with the court’s decision, authorities pasted the notice on the mosque wall, instructing the mosque committee to vacate the premises.
“The administration is only following legal orders,” said Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rajesh Kumar Singh. “If the encroachment is not removed within the given timeframe, necessary action will be taken.”
The move to demolish the mosque has been backed by Sanatan Sena activist Arvind Kishore Shahi, who has been vocal about his opposition to the mosque’s presence. “This mosque was built illegally on Gram Sabha land. Over time, a madrasa was also started, and an Idgah was constructed. This is a clear case of land jihad,” he claimed, using a controversial term often used by right-wing groups to allege unauthorised land occupation by Muslims.
His remarks have intensified tensions, with community members fearing targeted action against Muslim religious sites under the pretext of legal procedures.
Amid rising uncertainty, members of the mosque committee have expressed their intent to challenge the eviction order in court. “It is true that the mosque was built on government land, but it has been there for two decades,” said Mohammad Arshad, a senior member of the mosque committee. “There is plenty of vacant government land nearby, yet only our mosque is being targeted. We will approach the court to seek relief.”
Local residents argue that the issue is not about encroachment but about the selective application of laws. “There are many structures on government land in our area, including temples and community halls. Why is only the mosque being demolished?” questioned Abdul Qayyum, a villager.
This incident comes amid a broader crackdown on mosques and madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, where multiple religious structures have faced allegations of illegal occupation. Over the past year, numerous madrasas have been declared unauthorised, and demolition drives have been carried out under similar justifications.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly condemned the eviction notice. “This is an attack on religious freedom and a blatant display of bias against the Muslim community,” said Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, General Secretary of AIMPLB. “If the government is serious about illegal encroachments, it should apply the law equally to all religious sites, regardless of faith.”
Other Muslim leaders and clerics have also voiced their concern. “The mosque has been a place of worship for two decades. It is unjust to suddenly declare it illegal and order its demolition,” said Maulana Anwarul Haq, a local imam. “We will resist this move legally and peacefully.”
As the 8 April deadline looms, the Muslim community in Kushinagar remains in a state of distress. Many fear that the demolition of the mosque will set a precedent for further actions against religious sites belonging to minorities.
“This is not just about one mosque. It is about the broader issue of religious freedom and equality before the law,” said Maulana Arif Qasmi, another prominent cleric. “We hope the judiciary will intervene and ensure justice is served.”
