Indian Muslim Olympian’s ancestral home demolished in bulldozer drive
Razing of Olympian Mohammad Shahid’s house seen as insult to legacy of hockey great who brought India global glory in 1980
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Authorities in India have demolished the ancestral home of Mohammad Shahid, a Muslim hockey legend who won Olympic gold in 1980 and was once hailed as the “Wizard of Hockey.”
The demolition, carried out under a road-widening plan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, has drawn sharp criticism as an example of “bulldozer politics” disproportionately impacting Muslim families.
According to the Clarion India, the three-storey house in the city of Varanasi was torn down on September 28 despite appeals from Shahid’s family for a delay. Relatives said officials refused to grant even a short extension before moving in bulldozers. “It was not just a house — it was part of our family’s history and the memory of a man who gave India glory in hockey,” his widow said.
Shahid’s brother added that while the government offered compensation, it failed to address the symbolic loss. The family has demanded a memorial in his honor, calling for recognition of his legacy. Local residents also complained that compensation focused only on construction costs, not the true value of the land, leaving many displaced families feeling cheated.
Shahid, who died in 2016, remains one of India’s most celebrated athletes. He was central to India’s gold medal victory at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the country’s last Olympic title in field hockey. Known for his speed and dribbling skills, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, given to exceptional achievers in fields such as arts, science, and sports.
The demolition has sparked outrage because it symbolizes the erasure of Muslim contributions to India’s national story. Uttar Pradesh, ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has become notorious for “bulldozer politics” — a practice where authorities raze homes and businesses, often belonging to Muslims, under the guise of development or law enforcement. Rights groups say such demolitions are carried out selectively and are designed to intimidate minorities.
For many, the destruction of Shahid’s ancestral home reflects how even national heroes from India’s Muslim minority are not spared in an environment shaped by Hindu majoritarian politics. Community leaders argue that while infrastructure projects are necessary, respect for cultural legacies and fair treatment of minorities should not be sacrificed.
Calls are growing for the government to establish a permanent memorial to honor Shahid’s contribution to Indian hockey, a reminder of his artistry on the field and of a time when the country stood united in celebrating his victories.
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