Seven mosques razed or damaged across India in September: Report

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — At least seven mosques were fully or partially demolished across India in September 2026, while several others faced eviction notices, legal challenges and threats from Hindu nationalist groups, according to a new report documenting growing pressure on Muslim places of worship.

The report by Islamophobia Monitor found that two mosques were completely demolished and five partially razed during the month. Five of the affected structures were historically significant, including mosques dating back several centuries.

Titled India’s Mosques Under Attack, the report documented at least eight additional cases involving administrative notices, fines, construction restrictions and disputes over mosque land. Seven occurred in Uttar Pradesh, governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and one in Maharashtra.

Authorities justified the demolitions through allegations of unauthorized construction, encroachment and road-widening requirements, while Muslim communities questioned the legality and necessity of several actions.

In Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain city, multiple historic mosques faced partial demolition to accommodate road expansion ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu pilgrimage.

The approximately 600-year-old Shahi Masjid was partially demolished on September 28 after Muslims agreed to voluntarily remove a three-foot section. During the operation, a minaret collapsed, damaging the mosque’s interior and triggering protests.

Two other mosques, including the century-old Medina Masjid, also lost portions of their structures during September.

In Delhi, municipal authorities demolished part of Madina Masjid on September 23, citing road-widening requirements. Muslim representatives questioned the timing because a court hearing concerning the mosque had been delayed.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, authorities demolished a roughly 150-year-old mosque on September 5 following a complaint by a former Bajrang Dal official.

The mosque committee maintained that the structure stood on legally recognized Muslim endowment property and possessed historical documents supporting its ownership.

The demolition followed a court ruling dismissing an appeal against an eviction order. The Allahabad High Court subsequently stayed recovery of a fine exceeding 64 million Indian rupees ($670,000).

Another mosque under construction was demolished in Haryana’s Faridabad district, where local Muslims alleged that complaints from individuals associated with Hindutva organizations preceded the action.

Beyond demolitions, authorities issued notices or initiated proceedings against several other mosques.

In Agra, a Muslim trust received an eviction notice and a fine of 300 million Indian rupees ($3.14 million) concerning a mosque believed to be approximately 500 years old.

Other mosques in Sambhal, Meerut, Moradabad and Mumbai faced land ownership disputes, demands for archaeological investigations or administrative restrictions.

The report also documented inflammatory speeches by Hindu extremists, threats to install Hindu idols inside mosques and attacks during religious processions.

On Sept. 29, Muslim organizations demonstrated in New Delhi against the targeting of mosques. Police detained several protesters, including three Muslim parliamentarians.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and Indian American Muslim Council separately urged international intervention to protect India’s Muslim religious heritage.

Islamophobia Monitor said its findings were based on publicly available reports and did not represent a comprehensive nationwide count.

The organization called for independent investigations, protection of historic mosques, stronger safeguards against arbitrary demolitions and equal enforcement of laws governing religious properties.