Indian Authorities Demolish 150-Year-Old Muslim Shrine in Uttar Pradesh

Indian Authorities Demolish 150-Year-Old Muslim Shrine in Uttar Pradesh
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Authorities in India’s Uttar Pradesh state have demolished a 150-year-old Muslim shrine during an overnight operation in Rampur district, drawing anger from local residents.

The shrine of Hazrat Bairam Shah Miyan, also known locally as Neem Wali Ziyarat, was razed as part of a road-widening project. Officials said the shrine stood in the middle of the roadway and had to be removed to improve traffic flow and public safety.

The demolition took place around 3 a.m. under heavy police presence. Authorities sealed off the area, diverted traffic, and restricted public movement before public works personnel used bulldozers to remove the shrine. Debris was cleared immediately, and workers later cut down an old neem tree beside the site.

The shrine’s caretaker, Nasir Miyan, said he had cared for the site for nearly 30 years and had received a notice about a week before the demolition. He said his legal and administrative efforts to prevent the removal were unsuccessful.

The incident comes amid criticism of the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over the demolition and removal of Muslim religious sites under road expansion, anti-encroachment, and redevelopment drives.