India: Ujjain – Bulldozers Demolish Muslim Settlement, Mosque Destroyed

In Ujjain, the administration has demolished 257 homes, including the Takiya Mosque, in the Nazimuddin Colony under the pretext of expanding the Mahakal Temple corridor, Inquilab news agency reported.

This operation was carried out under heavy police presence. Local residents reported that they were given only 24 hours’ notice, but bulldozers arrived just 12 hours later.

According to city Qazi Khalil ur-Rehman, Nazimuddin Colony is situated on Waqf land, and all the houses in the area belong to Muslims. However, the demolition also targeted the mosque, while the nearby Ganesh Colony, which has no Muslim residents, was left unscathed.

Affected individuals stated that they received neither adequate compensation nor sufficient time to vacate their homes. Some claimed that their children had to go hungry and were sent to stay with others.

There is widespread fear among local Muslims, and many are hesitant to speak openly about the situation. The city Qazi pointed out that Muslims had previously been evicted from the Begum Bagh Colony as well.

False claims are being made in the media that the colony was illegal and that residents were compensated, but locals deny these assertions. Victims have approached the High Court seeking justice, but their plea has been dismissed.