Reports Say More Than 23 Muslim Religious Sites Demolished in India in 45 Days

Reports Say More Than 23 Muslim Religious Sites Demolished in India in 45 Days
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Reports from India say more than 23 Muslim religious structures, including mosques, madrasas, Eid prayer grounds, and shrines, have been demolished across several states in about 45 days, raising renewed concerns over religious freedom, heritage protection, and due process.

A wave of demolitions targeting Muslim religious sites in India has raised growing concern among rights groups, community leaders, and observers, after reports said more than 23 structures were demolished across several states within roughly 45 days.

The reported demolitions included mosques, madrasas, Eidgahs, dargahs, and graveyards in Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana, many of them governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Among the reported cases were historic and long-standing religious sites, including the Azgaib Shahid mosque in Varanasi, which was demolished during a railway redevelopment project, and the Noorani Mosque in Jaipur, which was removed as part of a road-widening drive. In Rajasthan, concerns have also grown after demolition notices were issued to Muslim religious structures, including a dargah described by petitioners as nearly 200 years old.

Authorities have generally described the actions as anti-encroachment measures, infrastructure-related demolitions, or security-linked operations. However, Muslim organizations and civil rights groups say several demolitions were carried out without adequate notice, while legal objections or property claims were still pending.

Critics also allege selective enforcement, saying nearby religious structures belonging to other communities were not always subjected to the same action. These allegations have intensified debate over equal treatment before the law and the protection of religious heritage.

The developments come against the backdrop of wider concerns over “bulldozer justice” in India. Rights organizations have previously accused authorities of using demolitions disproportionately against Muslims, while India’s Supreme Court has stressed that demolitions must follow due process, including prior notice and legal safeguards.

The latest reports have renewed calls for transparency, judicial oversight, and equal application of the law in all actions involving places of worship and religious heritage sites.