Sambhal: Government bulldozers demolished a mosque and a madrasa in Salempur Salar, also known as Hazipur village, in Sambhal district. The action followed months of tension in the region, where several Islamic structures have faced scrutiny after claims raised by Hindutva groups.
District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya said villagers had started dismantling parts of the structure before official machinery arrived. He stated administration teams completed the demolition after confirming the buildings stood on gram sabha land. He added the cleared land would be allotted to 20 Dalit families from the village.
Officials said the Madina Masjid stood on a 439 square metre plot classified as public land. A notice had been served to the mosque management committee two weeks earlier. Tehsildar Dhirendra Singh said authorities imposed a fine of ₹8.78 lakh on the committee for encroachment.
Hazi Shamim, caretaker of the mosque, said villagers removed a front wall after officials assured them the structure stood on public land. He alleged the administration demolished the entire mosque and the adjoining madrasa. He said the land had been allotted over four decades ago for religious education needs.
The administration announced further action in Sambhal town. Pensiya said authorities would reclaim land occupied by the Mallak Shah Baba graveyard near Shankar Chowk. He said the site occupied public land. Earlier, officials demolished over two dozen shops and houses near another graveyard adjoining the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Officials linked previous demolitions to allegations of stone pelting during clashes in November 2024, which followed a court ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. A legal case seeking control of the mosque site remains pending. Authorities said more demolitions remain planned across the district.
