Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh – The Muslim community of Chintamani Gadhiya village in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district has taken the painful decision to demolish a mosque with their own hands after receiving repeated threats of demolition from local authorities and sustained pressure from Hindutva groups, reported the Clarion India.
The Gadhiya Masjid, along with an adjacent Idgah, had been the subject of controversy as right-wing outfits, including the Sanatani Sena, alleged that the structures were illegally built on government-owned land. The disputed land reportedly falls under revenue Gata numbers 645 and 648.
Acting upon the complaints, the local Tehsil office issued an eviction notice under Section 67 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code. A final notice warning of imminent bulldozer action was pasted on the mosque’s entrance in March 2025, stating that the structure would be razed soon.
In an effort to seek legal protection, the mosque committee and villagers had appealed to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) court and later the Allahabad High Court. However, no relief was granted. Although the ADM had initially directed the Tehsildar to resolve the matter within six months, the demolition notice arrived within just three months.
To prevent violence and preserve communal harmony, the mosque committee and locals took it upon themselves to begin dismantling the mosque using tools and hammers. Committee members stated that they did not want any tension or hatred to spread in the region, and their decision was motivated by a desire for peace.
This difficult step taken by the Muslim community has sparked conversations across social media and civil society, with many praising it as a gesture aimed at de-escalating conflict and upholding communal amity in the face of mounting pressure
