Bulldozer threats spark panic among Muslim families in UP’s Bahraich
Lucknow: Alarm has spread among Muslim families in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, as authorities have issued eviction notices to approximately two dozen households, demanding they vacate their properties within three days or face bulldozer demolitions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this drastic action follows violent clashes that erupted during Durga Puja idol immersion in Bahraich’s Maharajganj, which were reportedly intensified by inflammatory songs played in predominantly Muslim areas. The notices have left residents in a state of fear, with officials warning that any alleged encroachments will be forcibly removed if not vacated voluntarily.
Many families are now hurriedly packing their belongings, concerned for their safety. Women and children in particular express heightened anxiety about the potential for further violence. These families are anxious to leave their homes, but they say the police are not allowing them to do so. One local woman shared, “We just want permission to visit our relatives. We’re terrified that the violence will erupt again.” Another resident recounted, “The door of our house was broken, and our belongings were stolen; we’re at a loss for what to do now.”
Political leaders from the Samajwadi Party and Congress have condemned these actions. Ameeque Jamei, spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party, remarked, “The riots during the festival are a blot on the state, and the demolition plans seem to specifically target Muslims.” Congress leader Manish Hindvi criticized the government for not addressing these alleged illegal constructions earlier, calling attention to the communal narrative that jeopardizes societal harmony.
Pertinently, the use of bulldozers in India has become emblematic of state-sanctioned oppression, with their deployment often seen as a tool for political vendetta and appeasement of specific voter bases. Demolitions frequently occur without proper notice or adherence to legal procedures, with homes of Muslims being razed based solely on suspicion of criminal involvement. This so-called “bulldozer justice” gained notoriety after Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a practice that has since spread to states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Maharashtra.
