Hindu extremists oppose Muslims buying homes in northern India
Hindu extremist group staged protests against Muslim homeowners, accusing them of changing area's demographics as authorities evicted two families
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Hindu extremist group has launched a campaign against Muslim families who recently bought homes in a Hindu-majority neighborhood in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, accusing them — without evidence — of attempting to change the area’s demographic composition.
The controversy began after Muslim families purchased at least six houses in Muzaffarnagar’s Janakpuri colony.
Members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti gathered outside the homes, recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn, and demanded that the families leave the neighborhood, claiming Muslims should not settle in predominantly Hindu localities.
Following the protests, district officials inspected the properties and informed the buyers that some of the houses had originally been allotted under India’s federally funded affordable housing program for low-income families.
Authorities said they were examining whether the properties had been transferred in violation of the scheme’s rules.
Officials subsequently evicted two Muslim families from the homes, sealed the properties and placed government locks on the doors.
The affected families said they had purchased the houses in good faith, were never informed that the properties were linked to the government housing program and were forced to leave without prior notice, leaving them homeless.
Hindu Sangharsh Samiti leaders claimed, without presenting evidence, that Muslims were deliberately purchasing homes in predominantly Hindu neighborhoods as part of a conspiracy to alter the area’s demographic makeup.
The group repeatedly referred to the families as “jihadis” and alleged they were receiving outside funding to encourage Hindus to leave the locality.
The group’s convener, Narendra Pawar, announced that supporters would gather every Tuesday evening to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside the neighborhood until Muslim residents left the area.
He also urged authorities to identify people allegedly trying to “change the demographic character” of the city and take strict action against them.
Police said officers were deployed after receiving reports that around two dozen people had assembled outside several homes. Local administrative officials, including the sub-district revenue officer, visited the site to assess complaints and said legal action would be taken based on the findings of their inquiry.
The episode is the latest in a series of campaigns by Hindu extremist organizations seeking to prevent Muslims from purchasing property or settling in predominantly Hindu localities.
Rights groups say such efforts have contributed to increasing residential segregation in parts of India, where Muslims have faced growing discrimination in access to housing alongside broader campaigns targeting mosques, businesses and other aspects of public life under the Hindu nationalist political climate.
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