Saharanpur: Former Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson and journalist Huda Jariwala was arrested for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the demolition of a mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex.
Advocate Dushyant Singh filed a complaint at Sadar Bazaar police station after a video of Jariwala’s statement went viral. In the clip, she describes the mosque as having “been martyred,” calls the demolition a “criminal act,” and states that the entire Muslim community stands against those responsible. The complainant alleged she also branded the Chief Minister a “criminal.” Police detained her when she arrived at the Circuit House in Saharanpur to protest. Saharanpur SSP Abhinandan Singh confirmed that a case has been registered and the video is under investigation.
The mosque, located on a 315-square-metre plot inside the District Magistrate’s office complex, was razed around 5 am on Saturday, September 5. The administration describes it as a 70-year-old structure. The mosque committee and locals, however, claim it is nearly 150 years old, with records dating to 1911.
Legal proceedings against the mosque began following a complaint by Vikas Tyagi, a former Bajrang Dal provincial coordinator, who alleged illegal construction and commercial use of the premises. In March 2025, a Lekhpal registered a case of unauthorised occupation. Notices followed under the Uttar Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act. On July 17, the City Magistrate declared the structure unauthorised, ordered eviction within 30 days and imposed a penalty of approximately Rs 6.41 crore. The mosque committee’s appeal was dismissed by the District Judge on September 4. Bulldozers moved in the next morning under heavy police presence.
The demolition triggered sharp political reactions. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan alleged she was placed under house arrest to prevent her from reaching Saharanpur. BSP chief Mayawati, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MP Imran Masood and Bhim Army’s Chandra Shekhar Azad condemned the action. Owaisi questioned the haste and noted that the mosque predates the Collectorate itself.
