Bulldozer Razes Mazar on School Grounds in Uttarakhand Amidst Anti-Encroachment Drive

Bulldozer Razes Mazar on School Grounds in Uttarakhand Amidst Anti-Encroachment Drive
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Authorities in Uttarakhand continued their anti-encroachment drive by demolishing a mazar (a Sufi shrine) located on the premises of a government school in Ramnagar. The demolition, which occurred recently, is the latest in a series of actions that have been criticized by some as disproportionately targeting Muslim properties.

According to Clarion India, the local administration stated that the mazar was an illegal structure built on government land. However, local residents have contested this claim, stating that the shrine had been present for a significant period. The use of a bulldozer to raze the structure has drawn condemnation from rights activists who argue that due process was not followed and that the action reflects a broader anti-Muslim sentiment in the state.

This incident follows other similar demolitions of Muslim-owned properties and religious sites in Uttarakhand, raising concerns about a targeted campaign. Critics argue that while addressing illegal encroachments is necessary, the manner and focus of these drives suggest a bias against the Muslim community. The incident in Ramnagar has further heightened tensions and sparked outrage among certain sections of society.