Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh — Tensions are running high in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district after local authorities demolished an under-construction mosque in Bhojpur village on May 29. The incident, carried out under a heavy police presence, has been condemned by local residents and opposition leaders as another example of growing religious discrimination against Muslims in India, reported the Muslim Network TV.
The mosque, located in the Nakur block, had been under development since 2023 and served as a place of worship under a temporary shelter. Residents claim that the construction had been halted for over a month due to police intervention and that several efforts were made to obtain official permissions, but they were either dismissed or ignored.
Former village head Wajid Ali stated that while no architectural plans had been approved, an official had informally allowed the continuation of the project, calling it a “small religious structure.” An application for permission was submitted in February 2025, but no formal response was ever provided.
According to eyewitnesses, the ground floor of the mosque was under construction when Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Subodh Kumar arrived with bulldozers and security forces, including members of the Rapid Response Force (RRF), and demolished the structure.
SDM Subodh Kumar claimed the mosque was being built illegally and without required permissions. He also insisted that a prior notice had been served to the villagers. However, local leaders strongly deny this. Congress MP Imran Masood challenged the claim, arguing that under the Religious Endowments Act of 1863, prior government approval isn’t necessary for constructing religious sites.
Residents shared a notice dated May 7 that had been sent to 11 individuals in the village, citing a police report that warned of potential communal tensions. The notice threatened legal action if explanations weren’t given.
This incident adds to a disturbing trend. Reports indicate that over 350 Islamic sites—including mosques, madrassas, and Sufi shrines—have been demolished or faced legal action in Uttar Pradesh in recent months.
The demolition has ignited renewed concerns among India’s Muslim community, which increasingly feels marginalized under ongoing government crackdowns on Islamic institutions.
