Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Tuesday expressed concern over demolition drives taking place across the country, the credibility of Rajya Sabha elections, and the political situation in West Bengal. The organisation also welcomed the recent US–Iran peace agreement and called for greater efforts to protect democratic values and citizens’ rights.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, JIH leaders urged civil society groups, human rights organisations and legal experts to take note of these issues and support affected communities.
JIH Questions Demolition Drives Across States
JIH Vice President Malik Motasim Khan raised concerns over demolition and anti-encroachment drives in several parts of the country.
“In the last few weeks, demolition drives were carried out in Delhi, Bandra, Faridabad, Viramgam in Gujarat, Goregaon, Varanasi, Sambhal, Jaipur, Bhayandar, Pimpri Chinchwad and Etawah,” Khan said.
He pointed to several recent demolitions, including religious structures and homes, claiming many families had been displaced without proper rehabilitation.
“In Pimpri Chinchwad, authorities issued notices to several religious structures and demolished some during a late-night operation. In Surat’s Nasir Nagar, 106 houses were demolished over three days, while Jaipur’s Noorani Mosque was demolished during a road-widening project,” he said.
Khan expressed concern about the impact on families, especially during extreme weather.
“Many affected families have been left without proper shelter and there is no clarity regarding rehabilitation. Demolitions in peak summer have already caused hardship, and the monsoon may worsen the situation,” he said.
He also referred to the Supreme Court’s observations on evictions, stating that rehabilitation should be ensured before such actions are carried out.
JIH Welcomes US–Iran Peace Agreement
JIH Vice President Salim Engineer welcomed the recent peace agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important step toward regional stability.
“We hope all agreed provisions will be implemented in both letter and spirit by all stakeholders,” Engineer said.
He also urged the Government of India to play a stronger role in promoting peace and dialogue internationally.
“At the same time, we express solidarity with the people of Iran and recognise their resilience. The international community should not ignore issues related to war crimes and humanitarian violations in Gaza and Palestine,” he added.
Questions Raised Over Rajya Sabha Elections
JIH also raised concerns about the fairness of Rajya Sabha elections, saying recent trends had affected public trust in democratic institutions.
“Recent trends have raised disturbing questions about the credibility of the election process. Allegations of horse-trading, money power, intimidation of legislators and cross-voting have become recurring features,” Engineer said.
He also questioned the rejection of an Opposition candidate’s Rajya Sabha nomination, calling it a worrying precedent for procedural fairness.
Concern Over Political Climate in West Bengal
Speaking about the situation in West Bengal, Association for Protection of Civil Rights National Secretary Nadeem Khan said reports of political violence and pressure on opposition leaders were troubling.
“There are reports of attempts to forcibly shift political loyalties, break opposition parties and incidents of street-level violence against political opponents, creating an atmosphere of fear and coercion,” Khan said.
He added that demolition drives alongside allegations of political intimidation were creating conditions harmful to democracy.
