UP govt demolishes decades-old mazar citing ‘illegal encroachment’
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On September 1, the Uttar Pradesh administration demolished several decades-old mazars (mausoleums) at the Miya Sarai intersection in Sitapur district, terming them “illegal encroachments.” Nearby shops were also brought down during the operation, which was carried out under heavy police deployment. Authorities sealed off the area to prevent potential protests from the local Muslim community.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Nitish Kumar Singh stated that the demolition was “necessary” as part of the administration’s effort to clear illegal structures.
However, local residents expressed concern over the manner in which the action was carried out. Members of the Muslim community alleged that they were not given adequate time to remove their belongings before the structures were razed. One local reportedly said that the administration should have handled the situation more efficiently instead of resorting to such drastic measures, Siasat Daily reported.
Meanwhile, videos of the demolition went viral on social media, where many users pointed to what they described as a recurring pattern of swift demolitions of Muslim religious structures across the country, often without prior legal proceedings.