More than 23 mosques, madrasas, Eidgahs and dargahs have been demolished or partially removed across various Indian states over the past 45 days, according to an investigative report by the international media outlet Muslim Mirror.
The report said most of these incidents had occurred in BJP-ruled states. The administration has claimed that the eviction drives were carried out as part of clearing encroachment on government land, removing unauthorised structures and implementing various development projects. However, many in the local Muslim community have alleged that long-used and well-established religious structures were also brought under the same drives.
Citing the accounts of local residents and affected people, the report said several mosques and dargahs had been used for years as centres of religious and social activity in their areas. The sudden evictions or demolitions have created concern and discontent in many areas. Representatives of the Muslim community have described the incidents as worrying, saying the necessary sensitivity towards religious structures was not shown while enforcing the law and carrying out development work. They have demanded a neutral investigation into the incidents, the ensuring of accountability and the rehabilitation of those affected.
Administrative officials, on the other hand, have repeatedly said the steps were not taken to target any specific religious group. According to them, the drives were carried out as part of freeing land from illegal occupation, removing unauthorised construction and implementing urban development plans.
The report also said that, with such eviction activities being carried out continuously across various states over the past month and a half, concern had been created among human-rights organisations and minority-rights observers. They have stressed a transparent and neutral investigation into the incidents, alongside the protection of religious freedom and the rights of minorities.
Mixed reactions are being seen in various parts of the country over these incidents. One side has taken a position in favour of the administration’s law enforcement and development initiatives, while the other is raising questions about the safety of religious structures and protecting the rights of the minority community. As a result, fresh discussion and debate have arisen on the matter in the public sphere.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report