India bulldozes madrasa after Hindu extremists protest
Madrasa had served children in village before authorities demolished it on pretext of planned playground project
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Authorities in India’s Uttar Pradesh state demolished a madrasa serving children in a Muslim-majority village on Sunday, less than a day after Hindu extremists staged protests demanding its removal, adding to growing concerns over the use of bulldozers against Muslim institutions in the country.
The Islamic seminary in Isuniya village of Unnao district was reduced to rubble as bulldozers and excavators moved in under heavy police deployment.
The demolition followed demonstrations by members of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu extremist outfit affiliated with the broader Hindutvar network, who accused the madrasa of illegally occupying public land and pressed authorities to take immediate action.
For residents of the village, the operation meant the loss of an educational institution that had long served local children. Community members gathered near the site during the demolition, watching as classrooms and structures associated with the madrasa were torn down.
District authorities maintained that the action was carried out in compliance with legal procedures rather than political pressure. Officials said the madrasa had been operating on approximately 0.835 hectares of government land designated in revenue records as a playground and sports field.
According to the administration, the dispute dated back to 2018 and had passed through judicial proceedings before a court recently directed officials to remove the alleged encroachment.
Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kshitij Dwivedi said notices had been issued to the madrasa management on June 3, asking them to voluntarily vacate the premises.
Yet the timing of the operation has drawn attention because of Bajrang Dal’s intervention a day earlier. Protesters from the group submitted memorandums to local officials demanding that the madrasa be demolished and warning against delays in action.
Authorities have consistently defended such actions as enforcement of land laws and anti-encroachment measures backed by legal orders.
Officials said the reclaimed land in Isuniya village would now be fenced to prevent future encroachments and later developed into a playground for local children.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
