Selective demolition drive in Chhattisgarh leaves 60 Muslim families homeless
#SelectiveDemolition
Raipur: In a glaring display of bias, a demolition drive in Ambikapur town of BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh state, has rendered 60 Muslim families homeless.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the forest department cited “illegal encroachment” as the reason but has faced backlash for selectively targeting Muslim homes while sparing neighbouring properties of other communities.
Local leader Ghulam Mustafa condemned the action, stating, “Out of 200 houses on this forest land, only Muslim homes were demolished. This is not about conservation; it’s targeted discrimination.” Notices were hastily served to these families, giving them minimal time to act. Efforts to secure a stay order from the high court failed as the demolitions proceeded preemptively.
Adding to the controversy, the Muslim-dominated section of the settlement was targeted, while homes of other communities on the same land remained untouched. Critics, including Congress leader Shafi Ahmed, have called the operation a case of “selective harassment.”
The bias is not new. In 2017, these residents faced baseless accusations of being “Rohingyas,” fueling hostility against them despite no evidence of illegal immigration.
“This is not about encroachments; it’s about targeting Muslims under the guise of legal action,” Ahmed asserted.
With families displaced and struggling for shelter, community leaders are demanding an impartial investigation into this blatant discrimination. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” Ahmed added, calling for immediate government intervention to address this humanitarian crisis.
