Photo: Maktoob
Authorities in Rajasthan’s Barmer district have issued eviction notices to several mosques and madrasas in the Gadra Road tehsil area, asking them to vacate the land or explain within a short timeframe why action should not be taken against them.
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Rajasthan, has criticised the move, alleging that the notices violate principles of natural justice and established legal procedures.
According to APCR Rajasthan president Advocate Syed Saadat Ali, mosque management committees were asked either to vacate the premises by June 18 or appear before the tehsil office on the same day to provide reasons against eviction, Maktoob Media reported.
Ali said the notices were issued on June 11 but were delivered only on the evening of June 17, leaving the affected parties with less than a day to arrange legal support, collect relevant documents and prepare their responses.
He argued that authorities must provide sufficient time and a fair opportunity to affected parties before taking action against religious institutions or properties. APCR said issuing only a one-day notice amounted to a denial of due process.
The organisation said the action went against the principle of audi alteram partem, which requires that a person be given an opportunity to be heard before any adverse decision is made.
APCR also claimed that the notices appeared inconsistent with constitutional protections under Articles 14, 21, 25 and 26, which relate to equality before law, personal liberty, religious freedom and the rights of religious groups to manage their affairs.
Referring to Supreme Court guidelines on demolitions and evictions, the rights group said authorities must provide adequate notice and allow affected parties enough time to seek legal remedies. It is alleged that the current process failed to meet these requirements.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of hurried action involving religious institutions, pointing out that multiple mosques had received similar notices at the same time.
APCR said that if authorities had concerns regarding land ownership or construction permissions, such matters should be addressed through proper legal procedures, impartial investigations and judicial oversight rather than through notices that do not provide a meaningful chance for defence.
The group warned that it would pursue legal action along with the affected mosque committees if any coercive steps were taken based on the notices.
APCR has demanded that the eviction proceedings be halted immediately, that legal procedures and judicial directions be followed, and that no demolition or eviction be carried out without a fair hearing and appropriate legal review.
It also urged authorities to ensure transparency, constitutional compliance and maintenance of communal harmony while handling issues involving religious institutions.