Muslim bodies denounce demolitions of religious structures, seek legal relief

Several prominent Muslim bodies have united to denounce the spate of demolitions of mosques, madrasas and dargahs across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. They have also decided to seek legal relief over these actions.

“An undeclared emergency is effectively in force in the country today. Demolishing people’s homes and places of worship while disregarding legal procedures and court rulings is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Constitution. If governments begin dispensing justice through bulldozers instead of courts, what is the meaning of the rule of law and citizens’ rights? The government cannot act as a judge; determining legality and illegality is the responsibility of the judiciary alone,” Arshad Madani, president, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said.

His viewpoint was supported by the spokesman of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind who expressed “grave concern over demolition drives affecting religious structures, residential buildings and vulnerable communities across several States” and promised legal help for those fighting demolitions carried out without following the due process of law.

“Jamaat-e-Islami Hind will continue to support the victims of these demolitions and advocate for their rights at all levels. We reiterate that protecting the rights, dignity, and security of all citizens remains fundamental to upholding the constitutional and democratic framework of the nation,” the spokesman said.

Will launch movement: AIMPLB

In a separate conference, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board bemoaned the marginalisation of minorities as manifest in the demolition of mosques in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner. The Board promised to launch a “nationwide movement in collaboration with justice-loving people from across communities” against social and political marginalisation of Muslims. The Board’s spokesman S.Q.R Ilyas said an action commission is being constituted for this purpose.

At its meeting in New Delhi, the Board reviewed the current situation facing the Muslim community, and expressed concern at the growing incidents of mob violence against Muslims in BJP-ruled States; demolition drives against mosques and madrasas besides bulldozer action targeting Muslim homes.

Meanwhile, Zafarul Islam Khan, former chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, expressed similar concern at the spate of demolitions of Muslim places of worship and their properties even as he called upon the youth to maintain calm.

‘Unfolding since 2014’

He claimed that the issues of mosques and house demolitions, and “bulldozer politics” are only a small part of a larger socio-political process unfolding since 2014. “Long-standing ideological objectives associated with the RSS are gradually being implemented and that Muslims, Christians, and Communists are being portrayed as adversaries in this narrative,” he said.

“The very madrasas and mosques being targeted today were institutions whose scholars first issued a fatwa for jihad against British colonial rule in 1803. Thereafter, freedom fighters led the struggle for independence and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. Today, these same institutions are being targeted on the basis of prejudice and hatred,” Mr. Madani stated.

The Muslim bodies have decided to file petitions in the high courts in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to restore the mosques demolished as well as for those mosques that have been served eviction notice. “The court cases will help in creating a historical record of grievances and injustices.” Mr. Khan said, citing the case of the Babri Masjid dispute as an example of legal and historical findings remaining significant regardless of the outcome.