Opposition leaders condemn mosque demolitions in Rajasthan
Jaipur: Opposition leaders, including Ashok Gehlot and Asaduddin Owaisi, have said that the Rajasthan government is selectively targeting Muslim religious sites in border districts through demolition drives under the guise of anti-encroachment measures.
According to Kashmir Media Service, former chief minister of Rajasthan and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot slammed the ongoing demolition drive in the state’s border districts targeting Muslim religious sites.
“This action, unnecessarily targeting a specific religion in a peaceful border region, appears to be motivated solely by the intent to create political polarization and disrupt the social fabric,” Gehlot wrote on X.
The veteran politician said the action comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the border districts in May 2026.
“Following Union Home Minister AmitShah’s visit to Bikaner in May 2026, the government has initiated an operation to identify and demolish religious sites of the Muslim community in the border districts of Rajasthan adjacent to Pakistan, under the pretext of removing encroachments (Border Areas). Under this repressive action, even historical religious sites that are several decades old are being targeted,” he posted.
“Despite the presence of a diverse religious population in these sensitive areas bordering the India-Pakistan border, there has never been any communal tension in history,” he added.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, citing local leaders, said that four mosques in Bikaner and nine mosques and dargahs across Phalodi, Jaisalmer, and Barmer have already been demolished.
“Notices have also reportedly been issued to hundreds of other religious sites. Among those facing action is the approximately 250-year-old dargah of Hazrat Mahmood Shah Jilani on the Ramgarh–Tanot Bypass Road in Jaisalmer,” he posted on X.
“These demolitions are being justified on national security grounds. However, none of the people in these areas have ever been involved in any such activities. Only Muslim places of worship are being targeted,” he added.
