Over 23 Mosques, Madrasas, Eidgahs and Dargahs Demolished in 45 Days — All in BJP-Ruled States
- Over 20 Mosques, Madrasas, Eidgahs and Dargahs Demolished in 45 Days — All in BJP-Ruled States
- U.S.-based advocacy group Justice For All expressed alarm over what it described as an acceleration in mosque demolitions in India, citing recent actions in Sambhal, Varanasi and Jaipur.
From a 1,000-year-old mosque to a 200-year-old Dargah, a wave of demolitions targeting Muslim religious sites has raised serious concerns across several BJP-ruled states in India.
These demolition drives do not appear to be isolated incidents. Since May, at least 23 Muslim religious structures — including Mosques, Dargahs, Eidgahs, Madrasas — have been demolished across six states. The 1000 years old historic Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi facing demolition action.
Such actions have been reported from multiple BJP-ruled states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. The pattern of demolitions has led to allegations that Muslim religious sites are being selectively targeted.
In all cases legal procedures were not followed. No prior notice was served before the demolition drives were carried out. While action was taken against Muslim religious structures, nearby Hindu religious structures allegedly built without authorization were left untouched.
The growing number of demolitions has sparked debate over equal treatment under the law, the protection of religious heritage, and the need for authorities to ensure transparency and due process in all such actions, regardless of the community involved.
1-Mangolpuri Dargah (Dargah Panch Peeran), Delhi
The demolition of the Mangolpuri Dargah, popularly known as Dargah Panch Peeran, on 6 May 2026 became one of the most debated incidents involving Muslim religious structures in India. Located in Delhi’s Mangolpuri Industrial Area Phase-II, the shrine was believed by local residents and caretakers to be 200-year-old and had served as an important spiritual centre for generations. In the early hours of the day, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), accompanied by heavy police deployment, demolished a major portion of the Dargah. Authorities stated that the demolished section was an unauthorized encroachment on government land and that all legal formalities, including approval from the religious committee, had been completed. However, caretakers and lawyers representing the shrine contested the action, arguing that legal objections had already been filed and that the dargah possessed historical and religious significance. The incident triggered widespread discussion on heritage preservation, due process and the protection of religious sites in urban redevelopment projects.
2-Madrasasa Demolition Delhi’s Pitampura
In Delhi’s Pitampura, a group led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Karnail Singh demolished a structure that he described as an “illegal madrasa” allegedly constructed on land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The incident occurred on May 21, when Singh, accompanied by dozens of supporters and individuals associated with Hindutva organisations, arrived at the site and brought down a boundary wall that was reportedly under construction.
Videos circulating on social media showed a large crowd raising slogans and demolishing parts of the structure, while Singh recorded and shared footage of the operation on Facebook.
The incident sparked debate over the legality of the action, with critics questioning whether due process was followed and whether elected representatives should directly participate in demolition activities rather than leaving such actions to the competent authorities.
3-Mosque at Masjid Chowk, Faridabad, Haryana
The demolition of the mosque at Masjid Chowk in Faridabad on 29 May 2026 occurred as part of a large anti-encroachment drive undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad. The mosque, estimated to be around fifty years old, was situated in the NIT-3 area and occupied approximately 700 square yards. Authorities stated that the demolition was necessary to clear land for the Gurugram–Faridabad–Noida Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor and a proposed elevated road. The operation began before dawn under heavy police presence, with mobile internet services temporarily suspended to prevent unrest. Officials maintained that the action followed directions from the Supreme Court and orders of the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachments on green belt land. Residents, however, alleged inadequate notice and expressed sorrow over the loss of a longstanding place of worship. The demolition quickly became a focal point of debates on balancing infrastructure development with religious and community concerns.
4,5-Two Mosques in Bandra East, Mumbai
On May 30, tensions escalated in Mumbai’s Bandra area after two Mosques were demolished during an anti-encroachment drive. Clashes broke out between police and local residents as bulldozers razed the structures, leading to heightened security in the area.
The demolitions accelerated in June:
6,7,8,9- Three Dargahs and a Graveyard in Gujarat
On 1 June 2026, authorities reportedly demolished three Dargahs and a Muslim graveyard in Gujarat as part of a wider demolition drive targeting structures alleged to have violated land or planning regulations. The demolitions drew attention because Dargahs are not merely physical monuments but important spiritual centers where devotees gather for prayers, religious ceremonies and remembrance of saints. The destruction of a graveyard particularly intensified public concern, as burial sites hold deep religious and emotional significance in Islam. Rights advocates argued that actions involving religious and burial grounds require heightened sensitivity, transparency and adherence to due process. The incident became part of a broader national debate about whether anti-encroachment drives are being implemented fairly and how historic and religious sites should be protected when urban or administrative concerns arise.
10- Goregaon Dargah, Maharashtra
Mumbai, June 2: Authorities on Tuesday demolished the over 70 years old Dargah of Hazrat Syed Barkat Ali Shah Pir Baba Dargah in Mumbai’s Goregaon area, triggering protests and renewed debate over the demolition of religious structures in the state. The action was carried out as part of an anti-encroachment drive in Aarey Colony under heavy police deployment.
11- Ajgaib (Azgaib) Shaheed Mosque, Varanasi
The demolition of the Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque in Varanasi on the night of 2 June 2026 became one of the most controversial incidents in the recent wave of demolitions of Muslim religious structures in India. Situated near Rajghat within the premises of Kashi Railway Station, the mosque was believed by locals to be nearly 200 years old and had long served as an important place of worship. Authorities carried out the demolition under heavy police deployment, stating that the structure stood on railway land earmarked for the redevelopment of the Kashi Model Railway Station. Officials said the demolition followed court proceedings and repeated notices to the mosque committee. However, local residents and community members argued that the mosque possessed significant historical and religious value and should have been preserved. The incident reignited debate over heritage conservation, redevelopment projects and religious freedom.
12-Bopodi Dargah, Pune
The overnight demolition of the nearly 100-year-old Hazrat Shamsuddin Qadri Dargah near Pune’s Bopodi Metro Station on the night of June 3–4 sparked widespread outrage and political controversy. Civic authorities demolished the historic shrine, which local leaders had long described as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony and communal coexistence.
The demolition triggered a strong backlash and a series of political and public reactions:
Political Confrontation: The sudden razing of the dargah led to heated exchanges in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) General Body meeting. Opposition leaders, including NCP leader Gafur Pathan, alleged that the shrine was demolished without due legal process or prior notice.
Public Outrage: Protests broke out across Pune as local residents, community leaders, and activists demanded a transparent and high-level inquiry into the demolition. Many questioned why a long-standing religious site, complete with electricity and water connections, was targeted for removal.
Councillors of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) announced black-band protests at the PMC headquarters, demanding accountability from civic authorities and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the demolition.
The incident has reignited concerns over the demolition of Muslim religious structures and the need for authorities to ensure transparency, due process, and equal treatment under the law.
13-Dargah, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
On 5 june, The district administration demolished a Dargah in Baghau village of Sambhal during an anti-encroachment drive. The shrine was claimed by devotees to be 500–600 years old, while authorities stated that it had been constructed on government land and that the demolition followed legal proceedings after no relief was granted by the court. The operation was carried out under heavy police security and personally monitored by senior officials, including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police.
14-Masjid Mustafa Qadri, Sambhal
The demolition of Masjid Mustafa Qadri in Sambhal on 6 June 2026 became even more controversial after police registered a case against eight individuals, including the mosque’s caretaker, over the alleged recovery of 49 posters bearing the slogan “I Love Muhammad” and a green flag from inside the mosque premises. Authorities stated that the mosque had been illegally constructed on land designated as a graveyard and that the demolition followed legal proceedings. Police invoked provisions related to statements allegedly capable of creating public mischief, arguing that the recovered materials warranted investigation. However, critics questioned how posters expressing love for the Prophet Muhammad inside a mosque could constitute a criminal offence and argued that the case raised important questions regarding freedom of religion and expression. Local political leaders and rights advocates also criticized the action, contending that religious expressions should not be criminalized and that the issue reflected broader concerns about the treatment of Muslim religious institutions and communities in contemporary India.
15-Sambhal Eidgah
The Eidgah in Sambhal came under demolition proceedings on 10 June 2026, the Revenue Department and local administration in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, demolished an boundary wall and began removing a room at an Eidgah site in the Daulatpur Khan area. Led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Chandra, officials utilized a municipal crane and bulldozer under heavy police presence after a land survey confirmed the structures encroached upon Plot No. 432, which is officially recorded as a public pathway. Following the initial demolition of the wall, occupants were given a brief period to vacate the adjoining room, allowing them to hire laborers to dismantle the remaining structure and salvage the building materials themselves.
16-Noorani Mosque, Jaipur
The demolition of the Noorani Mosque in Jaipur on 8 June 2026 became one of the most controversial demolition incidents in Rajasthan. Located in the Nandpuri area of Malviya Nagar, the mosque was built in 1981 through donations collected from local residents and had served the Muslim community for more than four decades. The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) demolished the mosque as part of a road-widening project connecting Malviya Nagar and Jagatpura. Before the operation, authorities deployed around 3,000 police personnel, suspended mobile internet services in several areas and imposed restrictions on gatherings to prevent unrest. Officials maintained that the structure fell within the road boundary and had to be removed along with other religious structures. However, the Rajasthan Waqf Board and several community leaders alleged that the mosque was a registered Waqf property and that demolition was carried out despite pending legal proceedings.
17-Noori Masjid, Bhayandar, Maharashtra
The mosque that was demolished was reportedly Noori Masjid, located in the Azad Nagar/Gold Nest Circle area of Bhayandar East in Maharashtra. On 8 June 2026, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) carried out an early-morning demolition drive under heavy police deployment. Officials stated that the mosque had been built on Municipal Corporation reserved Plot No. 122, a piece of land earmarked for public infrastructure, including a proposed Balasaheb Thackeray Art Hall.
18-Dargah (Sayyed Shah Baba Mazar), Etawah
The demolition of the Sayyed Shah Baba Mazar in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, took place in June 2026 after the Forest Department declared that the structure stood illegally on protected forest land. The Mazar, situated in the Fisher Forest area around 1.5 kilometers from Etawah city, occupied approximately 3,000 square feet of government land according to officials. Authorities stated that the caretaker failed to produce documents proving the legal status of the shrine, following which three bulldozers demolished the structure during a seven-hour operation conducted under heavy police security. The caretaker, however, insisted that the shrine was around 800 years old and held deep religious significance for devotees. The demolition generated controversy because of the shrine’s claimed historical importance and because Hindu organizations had earlier filed complaints alleging that the structure was unauthorized. After the demolition, the Forest Department planted trees on the cleared land, describing the move as part of forest restoration efforts.
19-1000-year-old Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The latest controversy emerged again in Varanasi on June 17, when demolition proceedings involving the historic Masjid Ganj Shaheeda, located near Kashi Railway Station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, came under threat of demolition in June 2026 after the Railway Administration pasted a notice on the mosque wall asking the committee to vacate the premises by 20 June 2026. The mosque committee claims that the mosque is nearly 1,000 years old, dating back to Hijri year 1034 (around 1624–25 CE), and says it is mentioned in settlement maps of 1883–84 and earlier revenue records. Railway authorities, however, have stated that the mosque stands on railway land required for the redevelopment and expansion of Kashi Railway Station and that action is being taken according to legal procedures. The mosque committee has rejected these claims, arguing that the mosque existed long before the railway station was built and announcing plans to challenge the notice in the High Court.
20,21,22,23- Four Mosque Demolitions in Barmer, Rajasthan
On 18 June 2026,four mosques in the Malana village area of Barmer district, Rajasthan, were demolished by local authorities. Notices were issued on 17 June and the demolitions took place the following day while legal proceedings were allegedly still ongoing. The reported reason was that the mosques had been constructed on privately held agricultural land that had not been legally converted for such use. Notices had been issued to around 12 mosques in the area, causing fear and anxiety among local Muslims.
Rights organizations argue that the demolitions raise serious concerns regarding due process and equal treatment before the law, while authorities maintain that the drives are conducted strictly according to legal and administrative requirements.
As bulldozers continue to reshape religious landscapes across India, the debate has grown beyond questions of encroachment. It now touches on the preservation of centuries-old heritage, constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and the future of communal coexistence in the country.
Justice For All Urges Protection of Religious Freedom
The recent wave of demolitions has also drawn international attention. On June 17, the U.S.-based advocacy group Justice For All expressed alarm over what it described as an acceleration in mosque demolitions in India, citing recent actions in Sambhal, Varanasi and Jaipur.
In a statement, the organization said that three mosques had been demolished within a span of five days and argued that the trend raises concerns about religious freedom and equal treatment under the law. The group specifically referred to the demolition of Masjid Mustafa Qadri in Sambhal, the Shaheed Azgaib Mosque in Varanasi, and the Noorani Mosque in Jaipur.
Justice For All alleged that authorities apply different standards when dealing with religious structures and urged India’s intellectuals and civil society to collectively oppose what it termed “hate politics.” The organization argued that the country’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion must be upheld and warned that the growing number of demolitions could deepen insecurity among minority communities.
The statement comes amid a broader debate in India over anti-encroachment drives and the demolition of religious structures. While authorities have consistently maintained that such actions are carried out according to legal and administrative procedures, critics argue that transparency, due process and equal application of the law remain essential to maintaining public confidence and protecting constitutional rights.
Comments
Post a Comment