New Delhi — In a sharp condemnation of the recent wave of demolitions in Assam, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Malik Moatasim Khan has called for an immediate suspension of eviction drives targeting Bengali-origin Muslim communities. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Khan described the demolitions as “communally motivated” and accused the state authorities of violating constitutional norms and basic human rights.
According to the JIH, nearly 4,000 homes were razed in Goalpara district alone during June and July 2025. The demolitions have reportedly affected more than 8,000 families across districts such as Goalpara, Dhubri, and Nalbari. Religious and community infrastructure has also been damaged in the process. “At least 20 mosques, over 40 maktabs and madrassas, and several Eidgahs have been destroyed, compounding the trauma of communities already facing displacement due to river erosion and administrative apathy,” the statement noted.
“These operations defy every principle of humanity and legality,” said Malik Moatasim Khan. “Citizens who have resided on these lands for decades and possess voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and other documentation are being evicted without due notice or rehabilitation. Meanwhile, similar settlements of other communities remain untouched. This selective targeting reveals a communal bias that is deeply disturbing in a constitutional democracy.”
JIH also raised concerns about the state’s alleged motive to vacate land for private and industrial interests, sidelining the legitimate claims of landless agricultural workers. It warned that such actions further erode public trust in governance.
Key Demands by JIH:
1. Immediate suspension of all ongoing eviction and demolition actions.
2. Urgent humanitarian relief including food, water, medical care, and shelter through local administrations.
3. Fair compensation and resettlement of displaced families, prioritizing the allocation of government land to landless residents.
4. An independent judicial or high-level commission to investigate the legality and communal selectivity of past and present eviction drives.
5. Reconstruction and protection of religious structures in consultation with local communities.
6. Strict adherence to due process, including prior notice, public hearings, and compliance with court orders.
Khan also urged the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Minorities, and relevant parliamentary bodies to initiate immediate fact-finding missions and hold the Assam government accountable. “When bulldozers become the face of governance, democracy and constitutional values suffer. The role of the state must be rooted in justice, law, and humanity — not in punishing the vulnerable,” he added.
