ALBAWABA- Local authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district demolished part of the 185-year-old Noori Jama Masjid, claiming it encroached on the Banda-Bahraich Highway.
Five Muslims killed by Indian police amid dispute over converting 500-year-old mosque into templeThe incident comes shortly after the Supreme Court criticized the use of bulldozers in such actions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law.
The district administration asserted that the demolished portion was constructed illegally in the past two to three years, supported by satellite and historical imagery.
Notices were issued to the mosque's management and other entities in August, warning them to remove encroachments. However, the mosque committee challenged the order in court.
Mohammad Moin Khan, the mosque's chief caretaker, disputed the claims, stating that the mosque was built in 1839, long before the road was constructed in 1956.
Authorities clarified that only the encroached section was removed, not the entire mosque.
Security forces were deployed to maintain order during the demolition, which coincided with growing concerns about increasing tensions between communities over historical sites.
Notably, five Muslims were killed by police during protests in Sambhal district against the alleged conversion of the 500-year-old Shahi Jama Masjid into a Hindu temple last November 25.
The unrest arose when a court-ordered survey, accompanied by members of Hindu nationalist groups, arrived to inspect the mosque.
Protesters clashed with police, resulting in deaths, injuries, and widespread chaos. Authorities imposed strict restrictions, including internet shutdowns and mass arrests.
Critics, including opposition politicians, have accused the ruling BJP government of fostering an environment of targeted discrimination against Muslims, reflecting a broader trend under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.
These incidents underline ongoing challenges to communal harmony and the rule of law, sparking national and international concerns over the protection of minority rights in India.
