Muflis Muslims - The Marginalized Minorities.
Few days ago video of Imam of Race Course Road went viral in which he told about the water and electricity cut in the mosque and the order to empty the mosque for demolition. The Race Course Road mosque is more than hundred years old and demolishing such structure without prior notice has become the norm with the BJP government. Even if it was due to some development work why there is no plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Moreover this is not the first time. Across several Indian states, a pattern of administrative extrajudicial actions—often framed as anti-encroachment drives or urban beautification—has resulted in the demolition of historically and culturally significant mosques, shrines, and madrasas. Behind these physical demolitions lies a deeply troubling reality: the systematic sidelining of the Muslim community, characterized by state indifference, disregard for due process, and a climate of socio-political disenfranchisement.
According to a study nearly 70 mosques most of which are historically significant and were used for prayers were demolished even when these mosques have stay orders against the illegal demolition.
The Akhoondji Mosque (New Delhi): In early 2024, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) bulldozed the 600-year-old Akhoondji Mosque alongside an adjoining madrasa and ancient graves in Mehrauli. The operation was carried out in pre-dawn hours without prior notice to the mosque committee, depriving local caretakers of any opportunity to seek legal recourse or salvage historic texts.
Shahi Masjid (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh):In late 2026, administrative pressure surrounding road-widening projects for a regional pilgrimage led to heavy security deployment around the historic Shahi Mosque.Faced with imminent administrative demolition, the local community felt compelled to dismantle portions of their own place of worship.
Saharanpur Collectorate Mosque (Uttar Pradesh):Authorities demolished a century-old mosque within the collectorate complex under high security.Opposition leaders and representatives attempting to intervene or raise legal objections were placed under house arrest, sparking widespread outrage.
Gareeb Nawaz Al Maroof Mosque (Barabanki, UP):Despite court orders directing a temporary stay, local administrative bodies summarily bulldozed the historic structure on allegations of illegal construction.
Medina Masjid (Shalimar Bagh-Delhi) : First upper floors of the mosque were demolished ensuring local Muslim community of no further action. Later the entire structure was demolished even when locals protested against the action.
The fundamental issue in these actions is not merely urban enforcement, but the consistent bypass of constitutional safeguards. Under standard legal procedures, any eviction or demolition requires written notice, clear administrative hearings, and time for judicial appeal.And at places where they have stay orders, government illegally performed the action during night or early morning hours to keep people away.
Minority rights have become mockery today and even court orders are not taken seriously by this government and when Muslims come out in protest they label them terrorists. The government which come on slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas" is in no mood to assure minorities specially Muslims. BJP and RSS supporters rejoice such action and wish for annihilation of Muslim community.
Muslims on the other hand have not resort to any kind of violence. They are appealing courts, people of India to speak against the injustices done to the community. Poor Muslims of the northern part of the country are the most affected from government's partiality. I hope more common people of Hindu community started speaking against the injustices of government against Muslims. Because "Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere" - Martin Luther King Jr.
