Over 20 Islamic seminaries declared illegal and demolished in the district this month alone, raising deep concerns among local Muslims about religious freedom
NEW DELHI/SHRAVASTI — The recent bulldozer demolitions of madrasas in Shravasti district have stirred anger and fear among the local Muslim community, as the administration continues to tear down long-standing religious schools it claims were built illegally on government land. The latest to face this harsh action is the 65-year-old Islamia Arabia Anwarul Uloom madrasa in Fatehpur Bangai village, which has been a centre of religious education for decades.
The demolition took place on Thursday (19 June) under orders from the local Tehsildar, Jamunha, who stated the madrasa was built without official permission on Gram Sabha land. Officials maintain that the land belongs to the government and that the institution was given multiple notices before the bulldozers moved in.
However, local villagers and Muslim leaders contest this claim, saying the madrasa has been a cornerstone of the community since 1960. “This madrasa has been educating our children and preserving our religious values for over six decades,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident. “Its destruction is not just a loss of property, but a loss of our faith and identity.”
More than 20 madrasas in the district have faced a similar fate this month alone, a number that has left the Muslim community worried about the future of their religious education. Out of 297 madrasas in Shravasti, only 105 are officially recognised by the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Board. The administration has labelled the rest as illegal and begun systematic investigations and demolitions.
On the same day as the demolition of the 65-year-old madrasa, two other madrasas built on government land were demolished in Begumpur village under the Hardatt Nagar Girant police station jurisdiction. A heavy police presence accompanied the bulldozer action, indicating the tense atmosphere around these operations.
Local administration officials defend their actions, stating firmly, “Encroachment on government land cannot be tolerated, no matter who is involved.” Yet, the Muslim community feels singled out in what appears to be a politically motivated drive to dismantle Muslim religious institutions under the guise of enforcing land laws.
Maulana Imran Qureshi, a religious scholar in Shravasti, criticised the administration’s approach, saying, “The government’s bulldozer policy is affecting the Muslim community disproportionately. These madrasas have been centres of learning and peace, and their destruction sends a message of exclusion and fear.” He added that many of these institutions had been operating peacefully for decades without complaints.
The demolition campaign has coincided with a wider pattern across BJP-ruled states where mosques, madrasas, Idgahs, and graveyards have reportedly been targeted. This has created unrest among Muslims who see their places of worship and learning as part of their heritage and religious freedom.
Rahim Khan, a community leader, expressed deep concern, “This is not just about land rights; it is about the rights of Indian Muslims to practice their religion and educate their children. Bulldozing centuries-old madrasas under political pressure is an attack on our identity.”
The Uttar Pradesh government maintains that it is acting within the law and that any illegal construction on government property must be removed. Yet, many local Muslims argue that the criteria for ‘illegality’ are applied unevenly, with Hindu religious structures rarely facing similar scrutiny.
“I do not oppose law and order,” said Faizan Ahmed, a social activist. “But why are only Muslim institutions targeted? There must be fairness and justice. The government should consider regularising madrasas that have served the community for generations instead of demolishing them without alternatives.”
The bulldozer campaign in Shravasti reflects a broader trend that has unsettled India’s pluralistic fabric. Muslim citizens feel increasingly vulnerable as their institutions are demolished and their voices ignored.
As investigations continue on more madrasas across the district, the community hopes for dialogue and justice rather than further destruction. “We want peace, respect, and the right to educate our children according to our faith,” said Abdul Rashid. “The government should work with us, not against us.”
In the coming weeks, Muslim organisations plan to petition the state government for intervention to protect recognised madrasas and stop the demolition of historical religious schools.
