Continued Demolition of Islamic Sites in India’s Uttar Pradesh; Another Mosque and Seminary Destroyed

Continued Demolition of Islamic Sites in India’s Uttar Pradesh; Another Mosque and Seminary Destroyed
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Amid an ongoing wave of pressure and alleged discriminatory actions against Muslims in India, a mosque and a religious school were demolished by government bulldozers in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, raising renewed concerns over minority rights and rising sectarian tensions.

The latest demolition took place in the Sambhal area, where state authorities razed a mosque and a madrasa in the village of Salempur Salar, also known as Hazipur, located about 12 kilometers from the city of Sambhal. The structures were completely destroyed as part of what officials described as an enforcement action.

According to The Telegraph newspaper, the demolitions are part of a broader pattern of increasing pressure and discriminatory measures targeting the Muslim community in the region.

Rajendra Pensiya, the Sambhal district magistrate, claimed that the mosque and the religious school had been built on land belonging to the village council. He said that part of the structure had already been demolished by local residents before government bulldozers arrived. Pensiya added that the cleared land would be allocated to 20 families from the Dalit community, and that the mosque’s trustees had paid a fine of 878,000 rupees.

However, Haji Shamim, the custodian of the Madina Mosque, disputed the official account, stating that the land had been allocated to the Muslim community more than 40 years ago for the construction of a religious school. He said the recent action amounted to the demolition of the entire complex, including the madrasa, and described it as an example of injustice and selective targeting of Islamic sites.

International observers have warned that the continuation of such actions could deepen insecurity and discrimination against Muslims and further inflame sectarian tensions. Local authorities have also indicated that the Malak Shah Baba cemetery near Shankar Chowk has been listed for potential demolition.

Hindu extremist groups have continued to pressure authorities to remove mosques by claiming the presence of historic temples at their sites, a trend that has intensified concerns over the minority rights crisis in India.