New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken a strong stance against the Uttar Pradesh government and its officials for demolishing a portion of the Madni Mosque in Kushinagar, despite an earlier ruling prohibiting such actions without prior notice. In response to a contempt petition, the apex court issued a show cause notice to the concerned officials, demanding an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The court has also ordered a complete halt to any further demolition at the site until further notice. This development comes after reports that a portion of the mosque was brought down by bulldozers on February 9, allegedly over claims that it was built on encroached government land. The demolition has sparked significant controversy, with legal experts and activists questioning the violation of the Supreme Court’s previous ruling dated November 13, 2024, which mandated due process before carrying out demolition actions across the country.
The issue gained attention after a complaint was lodged on the Chief Minister’s portal by a Hindu activist, Ram Bachan Singh, who alleged that the mosque was constructed on government land. Acting on this complaint, revenue department officials conducted a survey, after which they issued a notice to the mosque caretaker. However, local residents argue that the mosque had been standing for nearly a decade, and prayers had been regularly offered there. Despite these claims, authorities proceeded with the partial demolition, triggering concerns over the selective use of bulldozer action in Uttar Pradesh. The Supreme Court’s decision to intervene has been seen as a crucial step in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that religious structures are not arbitrarily targeted without due process. Lawyers representing the petitioners argue that the government’s actions not only violated previous judicial orders but also set a dangerous precedent of disregarding legal safeguards in cases involving places of worship.
The controversy surrounding the Madni Mosque demolition is part of a broader pattern of bulldozer actions in Uttar Pradesh, which have often been criticized for disproportionately targeting minority communities. Civil rights groups and opposition leaders have condemned the demolition, calling it a blatant misuse of power. Many see the Supreme Court’s intervention as a test case for judicial accountability in matters of religious and property rights. The UP government now faces a two-week deadline to respond to the court’s notice, and the outcome of this case is expected to set a significant legal precedent. Meanwhile, affected residents and community leaders continue to demand justice and accountability from the state administration, urging officials to adhere to the legal framework rather than resorting to unilateral actions that deepen communal divisions.
