Several mosques, madrasas razed across India’s largest state
Islamic religious sites across several districts faced demolition as bulldozer campaigns continue under BJP-ruled state government
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Authorities in India’s most populous state carried out fresh demolition drives targeting mosques, Islamic schools and other Muslim religious structures this week, reviving debate around the growing use of bulldozers against Muslim sites under rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.
Demolition operations were reported from multiple districts across Uttar Pradesh, where authorities used heavy machinery to raze mosques, madrasas and religious structures that officials described as illegal constructions or encroachments.
The latest actions add to a growing pattern often described by activists, Muslim organizations and rights groups as “bulldozer politics” — a term increasingly used to describe demolition campaigns that have disproportionately affected Muslim homes, businesses and religious structures in parts of India governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In Ghaziabad district, authorities demolished Madrasa Arabia Islam in Dasna during what officials described as an anti-encroachment drive. Authorities claimed records were examined before action was taken and maintained that demolition followed legal procedures.
Large numbers of police personnel were deployed during the operation as authorities moved ahead with the demolition.
In Varanasi — parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — authorities carried out a late-night demolition of Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque local Muslims say had existed for nearly two centuries.
Officials linked demolition to redevelopment work surrounding railway infrastructure and argued that the mosque stood on railway land. Muslim residents, however, said the mosque and adjoining graveyard carried significant historical and religious importance.
Another demolition operation took place in western Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, where authorities removed structures associated with mosque and madrasa construction after officials claimed that required approvals had not been obtained.
Authorities insist operations are not religion-based and say action is taken against unauthorized construction regardless of community affiliation.
Yet repeated demolition campaigns involving Muslim neighborhoods, shrines and religious institutions have fueled accusations that administrative powers are increasingly being used in ways that disproportionately affect India’s Muslim minority.
Over recent years, bulldozer campaigns have become recurring features of governance in BJP-ruled states, where Muslim homes, religious structures and neighborhoods have repeatedly faced demolition under anti-encroachment drives.
Muslim organizations and rights advocates say these operations have disproportionately targeted Muslims and turned bulldozers into symbols of political messaging and state intimidation.
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