Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Gujarat Demolishes Illegal Structures Amidst Protests
Imagine the government owns some land that it wants to use for parks or schools for everyone.
But some people have built houses or other buildings on this land without permission.
So, the government is going around and taking down these buildings, like using big bulldozers, to get the land back for public use.
In one place, when they started taking down a religious building, some people got very upset and started throwing rocks at the police.
The police had to use their sticks and push the crowd back to calm things down.
The government says they will remove all buildings that are not supposed to be there, no matter what kind they are, because the land belongs to all the people.
Gujarat authorities are conducting a state-wide demolition drive to remove illegal encroachments on government land.
In Gir Somnath, 12 structures, including a dargah, shops, and homes, were demolished, freeing up land worth over Rs 1.5 crore.
Tension and stone-pelting occurred when a religious structure was being removed, prompting a lathi-charge by police.
The state government aims to reclaim land for public amenities like parks, libraries, and health centers.
Authorities have stated a zero-tolerance policy, vowing to remove all illegal structures regardless of their nature.
- Who
- Gujarat state authorities, police, and a mob of residents
- What
- A large-scale demolition drive to clear illegal encroachments on government land, which led to protests and clashes during the removal of a religious structure.
- When
- The demolition drive is ongoing across Gujarat; the specific incident in Gir Somnath occurred during the operation.
- Where
- Prabhas Patan area in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, and other cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Junagadh, and Bhavnagar.
- Why
- To reclaim government land for public welfare projects and establish urban order and transparency by removing unauthorized structures.
Government Stance
Public/Resident Concerns
Land Use
Government Stance
Government claims land is meant for public welfare projects like playgrounds, gardens, libraries, and dispensaries, and illegal encroachments must be removed for community development.
Public/Resident Concerns
Residents expressed tension and protested during the demolition, particularly of the religious structure, which they apparently believed would be spared.
Enforcement
Government Stance
The state government has a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal occupation of public land, with no exemptions for religious, commercial, or residential structures.
Public/Resident Concerns
Some residents resorted to stone-pelting on police, indicating resistance to the demolition drive.
- Location
- Prabhas Patan area, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat and other cities across Gujarat
- Incident Date
- Ongoing demolition drive, specific incident occurred during operation in Gir Somnath
- Structures Demolished
- 12 illegal structures in Gir Somnath, including a dargah, three shops, and eight residential houses
- Land Freed
- Approx. 1,300-1,400 square meters
- Land Value
- Over Rs 1.5 crore
- Reason for Demolition
- Illegal encroachments on government land designated for public amenities
- Police Action
- Mild lathi-charge to control stone-pelting mob
- Legal Action
- Cases registered against those involved in disturbing law and order