Authorities demolish journalist Arfaz Ahmed’s house in Jammu
Lawyers, politicians condemn JDA’s move, term it selective
Srinagar: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA), backed by a heavy Indian police contingent, has demolished the residential house of a local journalist, Arfaz Ahmed in Jammu region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir,
According to Kashmir Media Service, the authorities demolished the house of the journalist in Narwal, Jammu,. However, the journalist said that he was not served any demolition notice beforehand.
The demolition has triggered widespread anger on social media, with many calling it a devastating blow to a journalist who had invested years of savings and hard work into building his family home. Videos circulating online show bulldozers reducing the house to rubble within hours. Arfaz Ahmed, a freelance journalist known for covering social, political and human-rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir, said the JDA action was a targeted move.
Critics have pointed out that such actions in IIOJK, including recent drives in the Kangan area of Ganderbal district, are frequently nit-picked for inadequate prior notice and lack of rehabilitation measures for affected families.
Arfaz Ahmed, talking to the media said, “Earlier, my house was demolished in Bathindi. I put up a brave face. I shifted to my parents’ house. This house too was demolished. The house existed for more than 40 years. It’s a selective drive. Only one house was demolished. Is my house the only illegal one in the entire Jammu city?.”
The journalist said he sought time from the JDA team but was denied. “This is a message for those who are into fair and truthful journalism. Toe their line, else your shelter will be taken away. It’s not easy to build a house,” he added.
Senior lawyers in Jammu, including Sheikh Shakeel and Zulkarnain Choudhary, condemned the JDA’s move and termed it selective.
“The IIOJK High Court’s direction is clear that any drive against encroachers should start from the bigwigs. Around 20 lakh kanals are encroached upon in the occupied territory. However, one person was singled out. One cannot justify encroachment, but the JDA should act against all big violators and follow the rules and procedures,” Shakeel said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also condemned the JDA’s move. “The J&K government must stop this bulldozer practice and review its decision to reject PDP’s land regularisation bill. Homes are lives, not lines to be erased,” Parra added.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI)-M leader and legislator M.Y. Tarigami said demolition, carried out without prior notice, is deeply concerning. “If his ( Arfaz Ahmed) claims are true, it reflects a serious lapse in due process. No authority can bypass the procedure established by law. Accountability must follow,” Tarigami said.
The demolition of journalist Arfaz Ahmed’s house is not just an administrative action — it is a shameful and deliberate attack on press freedom, democratic values, and the right to raise one’s voice.
Targeting a journalist for fulfilling his professional duty is unacceptable and deeply alarming. In a democracy, journalists are the eyes and ears of the people. If truth becomes a crime, democracy becomes a casualty.
Today it is Arfaz Daing. Tomorrow — it could be any journalist who dares to speak truth to power.
Press freedom is non-negotiable as an attack on one journalist is an attack on the entire democracy.
