Dehradun: In yet another troubling incident reflecting the rising tide of intolerance, members of a right-wing group stormed the premises of an elite residential school in Dehradun and demolished a structure they alleged was a recently built mazar. The act, streamed live on social media, not only exposed glaring security lapses but also deepened communal anxieties over the targeting of Muslim symbols and practices.
The district administration has distanced itself from the incident, with Dehradun DM Savin Bansal confirming that no orders were issued for the demolition. “Our team inspected the site and found that the structure was within the school campus. However, the administration was not involved in its destruction. We are working to ensure that law and order is maintained,” Bansal said.
The group, led by Radha Dhoni, president of Sanatan Sanskriti, justified the act by claiming the structure violated orders against religious sites in public institutions. Dhoni accused the school of permitting the construction of a mazar under the guise of repairing an old structure. However, no official evidence has substantiated these claims.
Despite the grave nature of the incident and the potential threat it posed to students, the school has reportedly not lodged a formal complaint. Observers have criticised this silence, calling it a worrying indicator of the pressure institutions face in an increasingly polarised atmosphere.
Muslim leaders and community members have condemned the act, viewing it as part of a broader pattern of hostility toward Islamic heritage and practices. “The attack on this mazar is not an isolated event; it is part of a systematic effort to erase Muslim identity and instil fear,” said a local Muslim scholar.
