Muslim Woman’s Property Deal in Gujarat’s Surat Stalled Over ‘Demographic Shift’ Concerns

In Surat’s Salabatpura area, the district administration sealed a property that had been sold by a Hindu woman to a Muslim woman. The sale was deemed a violation of the Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property in Disturbed Areas Act, also known as the Disturbed Areas Act.

The property transaction, although incomplete, was flagged as violating Section 5 of the Act, which requires individuals intending to sell property in a “disturbed area” to first seek permission from the district collector. Under the Act, the collector holds the authority to approve or reject the sale after an inquiry.

A Muslim woman, who was buying the property, found herself at the center of the controversy. The sale was scrutinized due to its potential implications for communal relations in the area, as the Disturbed Areas Act aims to prevent “communal polarisation.” Under this law, properties in areas with a history of communal riots can only be transferred with explicit permission from the collector, who must assess whether the sale could lead to a demographic shift or create tension.

In 2020, the Gujarat government amended the Act, granting even more power to collectors to prevent “improper clustering” of communities and maintain the area’s demographic balance. The amendments also raised penalties, with imprisonment now ranging from three to five years for violations. These changes were introduced after reports of anti-social elements using threats or financial incentives to bypass the law and force property sales in the region.