AhlulBayt News Agency: The incident occurred in Hayatnagar, where a small roadside mosque was torn down. Officials, led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra, stated the structure was built on government land and that notices had been issued in advance. They insist the mosque committee took it down willingly.
However, local Muslims tell a very different story. “There was no proper hearing, no verification of documents—just bulldozers and a large police force,” said Mohammad Imran, a committee member. Residents claim they were denied the opportunity to defend the mosque legally, with some alleging that land measurements were manipulated to label the mosque as illegal.
“They didn’t even give us time to remove the Holy Qur’an properly,” said youth volunteer Shahbaz Alam. Others expressed deep emotional pain, with one elderly man stating, “I’ve prayed here for 40 years. Watching it go down was like losing part of my soul.”
Authorities say that a portion of a nearby temple was also touched during the operation to show neutrality. But residents dismiss that as symbolic, comparing the removal of a brick from the temple to the complete destruction of the mosque. “That’s not equality,” argued student Irfan Qureshi.
This demolition is seen as part of a wider trend in Uttar Pradesh, where bulldozer actions have targeted numerous Muslim properties—homes, madrasas, and now mosques. Legal experts warn that such demolitions without judicial orders violate constitutional protections and Supreme Court directives.
Despite the emotional turmoil, no violence occurred, largely due to the heavy police presence. Yet, the silence from senior political leaders, especially from the ruling party, has only deepened the sense of marginalization.
“There is fear in the air,” said a local activist anonymously. “People are scared to speak. Speaking out could cost them their own homes.”
Muslim leaders and legal professionals are calling for a proper judicial review and compensation for the loss. “We don’t want favours,” said Imam Syed Mehdi. “We want our rights, as promised by the Constitution.”
As children walk past the rubble where the mosque once stood, elders recall days of peaceful coexistence. But now, many feel increasingly voiceless in their own country. “Let the government say what it wants,” an elderly woman said tearfully. “We may be weak, but our faith remains unshaken. Allah is watching.”
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