A 15-year-old roadside mazar was demolished with bulldozers in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district as part of a campaign against Muslim sites, triggering concern among local Muslims who complain that Muslim religious sites are being selectively targeted. The demolition was carried out in Loni area on the busy Loni-Bhopura Road, opposite the Loni Block office. District officials said the structure was on government land and was causing traffic congestion.

However, local Muslims expressed surprise over the demolition, questioning why structures of religious significance to the community were being removed while similar encroachments elsewhere were ignored. Given the sensitive nature of the demolition, police continued to monitor the area to prevent clashes. Muslim organisations have repeatedly complained that anti-encroachment drives in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh disproportionately target Muslim religious sites, including mosques, mazars and graveyards, while leaving other illegal structures untouched.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)