In Muarki village of Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, the administration on Wednesday demolished the house of sitting Gram Pradhan Sadiq Ahmed, alleging that he had encroached on government water department land. The demolition, overseen by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shailendra Kumar, was carried out under heavy police presence and legal orders from the Tehsildar court. Officials claimed that around eight biswa of government land had been occupied illegally and was now cleared.
However, villagers described a very different scenario. “This is pure discrimination,” said Mohammad Jameel. “There are hundreds of encroachments here, but only the Muslim Pradhan’s house was targeted. The administration ignored the Supreme Court’s stay on demolitions.” Fatima Begum, a local resident, added tearfully, “They came with bulldozers as if we were criminals. They didn’t even allow us to take our belongings. Everything was gone in minutes.”
Legal experts and activists said the action violated Supreme Court directives, which had ordered a halt to demolition drives without proper notice and verification. “The administration should have issued a formal notice, given time for appeal, and followed due process,” said Tariq Hasan, a local lawyer. Social activist Asad Rizvi described the move as “punishment politics,” pointing out that recent demolitions in Uttar Pradesh have mostly targeted Muslims.
Local residents expressed fear and helplessness. “People are scared to question authorities,” said shopkeeper Imran Khan. “The same government officials who should protect citizens are now demolishing homes of the poor and voiceless.”
Officials, however, maintained that the demolition was lawful. “This was government property under the water department, and the Tehsildar court had ordered eviction,” said SDM Shailendra Kumar. “We followed due procedure, and the area has been cleared as per law.” Authorities added that they would continue to free public land from encroachers and monitor illegal constructions.
In the aftermath, the village remained somber, with broken walls and scattered belongings. Sadiq Ahmed said, “They can call it government land, but for us, it was our home. If I had truly done something illegal, I should have been given a chance to prove my side in court. They didn’t even listen.”
As villagers gathered around the debris, an elderly resident reflected, “We just want equality before the law. Is that too much to ask in this country?” The demolition in Muarki has once again highlighted tensions over selective enforcement and the use of bulldozers as a tool of intimidation in parts of Uttar Pradesh.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.
