Rights Concerns Grow Over Demolition of Muslim Religious Sites in India

Rights Concerns Grow Over Demolition of Muslim Religious Sites in India
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A reported wave of demolitions targeting Muslim religious sites in India has raised concerns among rights advocates, with at least 23 mosques, madrasas, Eidgahs, dargahs and related structures affected within 45 days across several BJP-ruled states.

Rights advocates have raised concern over a series of demolitions involving Muslim religious structures across India, after reports said at least 23 mosques, madrasas, Eidgahs, dargahs and graveyard-related sites were demolished or placed under demolition action within 45 days.

The reported incidents took place across several BJP-ruled states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. Authorities in different cases said the structures were removed. Authorities in different cases said the structures were removed as part of anti-encroachment drives, infrastructure projects, railway expansion, road widening, forest-land recovery or action against unauthorized construction.

Critics, however, allege that many demolitions were carried out without adequate notice, transparent legal process or equal enforcement against structures belonging to other communities. They say the pattern has intensified fears among Muslim communities and raised broader questions about religious freedom, heritage protection and equal treatment under the law.

Among the reported cases were the demolition of the Mangolpuri Dargah in Delhi, a madrasa-related structure in Pitampura, a mosque at Masjid Chowk in Faridabad, two mosques in Mumbai’s Bandra East, three dargahs and a graveyard in Gujarat, and the Goregaon Dargah in Maharashtra.

In Uttar Pradesh, reported demolitions or proceedings affected the Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque in Varanasi, a dargah and Masjid Mustafa Qadri in Sambhal, the Sambhal Eidgah, and the Sayyed Shah Baba Mazar in Etawah. In Rajasthan, the Noorani Mosque in Jaipur and four mosques in Barmer were also reportedly demolished. In Maharashtra, the Noori Masjid in Bhayandar and the Bopodi Dargah near Pune were among the affected sites.

The U.S.-based advocacy group Justice For All expressed alarm over the developments, citing actions in Sambhal, Varanasi and Jaipur. Authorities have maintained that demolition drives follow legal and administrative procedures, while rights groups continue to call for due process, transparency and protection of constitutional guarantees.