UN experts condemn India’s demolition drives targeting minorities
Thousands displaced in Gujarat as bulldozers flatten homes, shops, and mosques in latest wave of forced evictions
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — United Nations human rights experts have called on India to immediately halt punitive demolitions that disproportionately impact minorities, low-income communities, and migrants, warning that the practice constitutes a severe violation of international law.
In a joint statement released Monday, four UN Special Rapporteurs said demolitions used as punishment — particularly without due process — represent an “aggravated form of human rights violation,” especially when deployed against already marginalized populations.
The warning follows large-scale demolition operations in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district, where more than 10,000 structures — including homes, businesses, and places of worship — were razed in areas around Chandola Lake and Siyasat Nagar between late April and May. An additional 500 structures were reportedly flattened on May 29 alone, leaving thousands homeless.
The independent experts — Balakrishnan Rajagopal (housing), Nazila Ghanea (freedom of religion), Nicolas Levrat (minority issues), and Gehad Madi (migrants) — said such demolitions are often framed by Indian authorities as part of anti-encroachment efforts or national security measures.
However, they noted that these justifications are frequently vague, unverified, and carried out without prior investigation or legal transparency.
“Residents, many of whom have lived in these areas for decades, are given no proper notice, no resettlement options, and no compensation,” the experts said. “Entire communities are left to watch their homes and livelihoods destroyed by bulldozers, with no recourse.”
The experts also referenced a landmark ruling by India’s Supreme Court in Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind vs Union of India, which established procedural safeguards against arbitrary demolitions. Despite this, they noted, the practice continues — often as a retaliatory tool against individuals accused of participating in protests or communal violence.
While victims of these demolitions include families from various religious backgrounds, the experts warned that Muslim communities have been disproportionately targeted in the wake of communal unrest or demonstrations, reinforcing a growing pattern of discriminatory state action.
They emphasized that invoking “national security” or claims of “illegal immigrants” must not be used as cover for forced evictions without due legal process.
“Episodes like the demolitions in Gujarat not only uproot families and destroy livelihoods, but also fuel instability, deepen social divisions, and erode public trust in the rule of law,” the experts stated.
The UN representatives confirmed that they have communicated their concerns to the Government of India and urged authorities to align urban development with both domestic constitutional protections and international human rights obligations.
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