India: Demolitions in Gujarat Leave Muslim Community Devastated

In a controversial demolition drive on September 28, authorities in Veraval, Gujarat, India, razed the Pir Shah Silar Dargah, along with eight other religious structures and 47 homes, affecting approximately 200 residents, The Wire reported yesterday.

The operation, ordered by district magistrate D.D. Jadeja, involved heavy police presence and detentions of around 150 locals. Residents claim the demolitions occurred on land associated with the Shree Somnath Trust, which is linked to high-profile political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Critics, including the Minority Coordination Committee of Gujarat, argue that the demolitions are aimed at displacing the Muslim community and erasing historic Islamic sites. Despite claims from officials that notices were issued, locals insist they received no warning. The situation has sparked legal challenges, with the Gujarat high court reviewing the actions as potentially unconstitutional, amid ongoing concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in the region.