Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh have expressed concern that mosques and other structures associated with the Muslim community could face increased action ahead of the Assembly elections, alleging that such moves could be used to create religious polarisation.
The concerns come after the demolition of a century old mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex on September 5 and a notice issued to the management of Mustafa Mosque in Moradabad over alleged unauthorised construction.
Opposition Alleges Electoral Polarisation
Samajwadi Party leader and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari alleged that the BJP government could intensify action against such structures in the coming months under the pretext of removing encroachments.
“With the Uttar Pradesh election approaching in the next five months, the Bharatiya Janata Party government is likely to escalate this assault on such structures under the pretext of addressing encroachments,” Ansari said.
He alleged that the actions were aimed at polarising society for electoral gain and urged the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court to take note of what he called a “motivated” campaign.
Congress national secretary Shahnawaz Alam accused the state government of creating a sense of “everyday communalism” through such notices.
He argued that many religious structures were built more than 100 years ago, before modern development regulations were introduced in Uttar Pradesh.
“Structures associated with other communities will also fail the yardstick of the new regulatory framework, but those linked with the Muslim community are being singled out,” Alam said.
SP MP Questions Government Priorities
SP MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq accused the Uttar Pradesh government of following a “one point programme” focused on mosques, madrasas and graveyards.
Barq criticised the demolition in Saharanpur and alleged that the government was ignoring issues such as inflation, unemployment, education and healthcare while targeting Muslims.
He claimed the Saharanpur mosque was 119 years old and had documents relating to it. He also criticised notices issued in Sambhal and Moradabad.
Legal Dispute Over Saharanpur Mosque
The demolition of the Saharanpur mosque has also led to a legal dispute before the Allahabad High Court. The mosque committee has challenged the administration’s action, alleging that the structure was demolished without the required statutory notice or a formal order.
The committee has also raised issues related to the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
The administration, however, has maintained that due legal procedure was followed. Officials said the district court had dismissed the committee’s appeal against a magistrate’s order declaring the structure illegal and located on government land.
Following the demolition, an Archaeological Survey of India team collected samples from a brick lined well, around 20 feet deep, discovered beneath the rubble.
