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Saharanpur Collectorate Mosque Demolished After Court Order, Sparking Political Firestorm
A mosque inside a government office complex in Saharanpur was torn down.
Officials said the building was illegal and stood on government land.
The action happened after a city magistrate ordered its demolition.
The mosque committee challenged that decision, but a district court rejected its appeal on September 2.
Many police officers were sent to the area to prevent trouble.
Congress leader Ajay Rai said the demolition was unfair and could divide people.
Mayawati also criticized the government for acting too quickly.
Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the government was only following the court’s decision.
Political leaders disagreed about whether the demolition was lawful and respectful of religious communities.
A mosque inside the Saharanpur district collectorate complex was demolished after a court upheld an earlier order declaring it illegal.
The demolition followed a petition filed by Bajrang Dal regional convener Vikas Tyagi in 2025.
Five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force secured the site, while all five collectorate entrances were closed.
Congress leader Ajay Rai and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati condemned the action and warned it could harm social harmony.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the demolition, saying officials acted in accordance with a court order and cleared government land of encroachment.
- Who
- The Saharanpur district administration demolished the mosque; opposition leaders Ajay Rai and Mayawati criticized the action, while Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended it.
- What
- A mosque inside the Saharanpur district collectorate complex was demolished after a court upheld an order declaring the structure illegal.
- Where
- Inside the Saharanpur district collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh, India.
- When
- The demolition took place early Saturday; the district court rejected the mosque committee’s appeal on September 2.
- Why
- Officials said the structure was an illegal encroachment on government land and that the demolition followed a court order.
Opposition Criticism
Government Defense
Legality and due process
Opposition Criticism
Ajay Rai and Mayawati questioned the action, with Mayawati accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of hastily declaring mosques illegal and demolishing them.
Government Defense
Om Prakash Rajbhar said the demolition was carried out in accordance with a court order after the mosque committee’s appeal was rejected.
Impact on social harmony
Opposition Criticism
Ajay Rai said the demolition represented politics of hate and division and weakened brotherhood and social harmony.
Government Defense
The district administration described the action as clearing government land of encroachment and deployed security forces to maintain peace.
Treatment of religious sites
Opposition Criticism
Mayawati said a constitutional, secular government should equally respect and protect religious sites and consider alternative measures.
Government Defense
The government maintained that the structure’s legal status and the court’s decision required the administration to proceed with demolition.
Key facts
- Site
- Saharanpur district collectorate complex
- Legal action
- A city magistrate declared the structure illegal and ordered its demolition.
- Appeal
- The mosque management committee’s appeal was rejected by the district court on September 2.
- Security
- Five companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force were deployed.
- Access restrictions
- All five entrances to the collectorate complex were closed, and the public and lawyers were barred from entering.
- Government position
- Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the demolition followed a court order and cleared government land of encroachment.
- Opposition position
- Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders accused the government of haste, hate politics, and threatening social harmony.
Quotes
Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party chief
“The news of the demolition of the mosque built in 1911 in the Saharanpur collectorate complex is extremely heartbreaking and shameful. Politics of hate and division does not strengthen society; rather, it weakens social harmony and brotherhood.”
rediff.com
“Let the BJP commit as much injustice as it wants... using the shield of law to perpetrate illegal acts may hold for a while, but it cannot last forever.”
rediff.com
Sources
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