New Delhi: The demolition of Muslim homes after protests has emerged as a recurring pattern across several Indian states, raising questions over due process, collective punishment, and constitutional rights. The experience of social activist Mohammad Jawed in Prayagraj offers a stark account of how state power has operated in recent years.
Jawed spent 21 months in prison following protests in June 2022 linked to remarks made against the Prophet Muhammad during a television debate. Courts later found no convincing evidence linking him to violence. Judges granted bail and noted the absence of factual foundation in police claims. During his detention, authorities demolished a double storeyed house owned by his wife, Parveen Fatima. The action took place while Jawed lay in hospital under police custody and while his family faced detention and intimidation.
Officials claimed illegal construction. The family denied receipt of prior notice and pointed to years of tax payments. Homes of similar status in the same area remained untouched. Television coverage celebrated the demolition and portrayed Jawed as guilty before trial.
Similar actions followed elsewhere. In Maharashtra’s Malvan, authorities demolished a Muslim scrap dealer’s shop after allegations against his teenage son. In Jammu and Kashmir, homes of families linked by accusation to militant violence faced destruction through controlled explosions. Reports by rights groups recorded a rise in demolitions, with Muslims forming the majority of those affected.
A 2024 Supreme Court judgment held property demolition without due process unconstitutional and described such acts as collective punishment. Despite this ruling, demolitions continued, often accompanied by public endorsement from political figures.
For affected families, the loss extends beyond property. It includes displacement, financial ruin, and social isolation. The pattern shows how punitive demolitions have become a tool of state retribution, with Muslim citizens bearing the heaviest burden.
As published in Article 14 by Harsh Mander
