NEWS PRISM, MP BUREAU
BHOPAL: The controversial demolitions of several homes belonging to Muslims by authorities in Madhya Pradesh, following incidents related to cows in Mandla and Ratlam districts, have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
In Jaora, Ratlam district, civic authorities demolished the homes of four Muslim men shortly after detaining them for allegedly throwing bovine remains at a temple. The incident occurred amid ongoing legal proceedings in the Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the demolition drive.
Zaid Pathan of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Madhya Pradesh chapter, revealed that police first arrested Shariq Qureshi and Salman, aged 18-20, on June 14, accusing them of the act at the temple premises. Shockingly, their houses were demolished the same day without prior notice. Subsequently, Naushad and Shahrukh were also arrested on similar charges.
Despite pleas from the families and a petition filed by APCR seeking a stay on demolitions, authorities razed almost half of Naushad and Shahrukh’s homes on June 16. “The administration issued demolition notices dated June 14 on June 16 around 12:30 PM, and demolitions began shortly after. The court granted a stay order around 2:30 PM, but the houses had already been demolished between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM,” Pathan added.
Pathan emphasized that an APCR fact-finding team confirmed the demolished houses were on legally owned lands and not public properties. The team visited the town and met with affected families and individuals.
APCR termed the demolition drive without a court order illegal and highlighted that authorities faced threats of a “bandh call” on Eid if they didn’t act against the accused families. Additionally, APCR’s fact-finding team raised doubts about police claims of having video evidence, noting that temple CCTV cameras were reportedly switched off during the alleged incident. Instead, footage from a roadside camera merely showed the men walking on a nearby road.
Justice Prakash Chandra Gupta, in his stay order, directed respondents including the Madhya Pradesh state government, the District Magistrate, police, and the Chief Municipal Officer of Jaora Municipal Corporation to maintain the status quo regarding the disputed property until the next hearing date. The petition was filed through Advocate Syed Ashhar Ali Warsi on behalf of the APCR Madhya Pradesh chapter.
The Chief Officer of Jaora Municipal Council issued a notice dated June 14 to Naushad and Shahrukh, instructing them to remove alleged unauthorized construction on a drainage channel within 24 hours. The notice warned that failure to comply would result in the demolition of the encroachment, with associated costs borne by them. Pathan informed that the families offered to remove those parts themselves, but authorities disregarded their offer and demolished deeper into their legally owned premises.
In another incident in Madhya Pradesh, specifically in the tribal-dominated Mandla district, 11 homes were demolished after authorities discovered alleged beef in refrigerators. Police claimed they received information about cows being brought to the area for slaughter, prompting raids and subsequent demolitions.
Previously, the Madhya Pradesh High Court strongly criticized such demolition actions conducted without proper legal procedures. In February 2014, a bench led by Justice Vivek Rusia remarked, “It has become common for local administrations and bodies to initiate house demolitions without adhering to principles of natural justice or notifying the public.” The court stressed that demolition should be considered a last resort and must only proceed after providing owners a fair opportunity to legalize their constructions.
Despite these judicial observations, the MP government has continued demolitions, raising concerns about procedural fairness and adherence to legal principles.
These targeted demolitions especially against the Muslim minority have sparked widespread outrage among activists, lawyers, politicians, and civil society groups, who criticize the actions as unjust and potentially influenced by communal mindset. Prominent figures of the minority community in the country including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and WPI chief and AIMPLB spokesman Dr. SQR Ilyas, have strongly objected, drawing parallels with historical instances of communal discrimination. These demolitions have raised significant questions regarding the rule of law, due process, and the treatment of minorities in the country, underscoring ongoing challenges in safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring justice for all citizens.