25 August 2024: In a sharp critique of the Madhya Pradesh government’s recent actions, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has labelled the demolition of a house belonging to a Muslim man in Chhatarpur district as an example of “state-sponsored communalism.” The house in question was razed following a protest by the Muslim community against Hindu seer Ramgiri Maharaj’s alleged blasphemous remarks. The protest had escalated into violence, with stone-pelting and damage to vehicles, leading to injuries among the police, as per a report by The Times of India.
Owaisi condemned both the violence and the subsequent demolition, emphasizing that Shahzad Ali, the house owner, claimed to have legal permission for his property. He criticized the authorities for not following due process as outlined by the Supreme Court, questioning whether Ali was given any prior notice before the demolition.
Owaisi also accused the local police of parading the alleged accused and forcing them to chant slogans, arguing that the incident reflected mob rule rather than adherence to the rule of law. He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of paying lip service to the Constitution while allowing BJP governments to violate its principles.
The Congress party also condemned the incident, raising concerns over the increasing trend of “bulldozer justice” targeting minorities.
This incident has sparked widespread outrage, drawing attention to the growing concerns over communalism and the use of state machinery in religious conflicts in India.
