Over 300 dargahs, houses demolished in Gujarat under guise of illegal encroachments

The BJP-led government in Gujarat state has razed numerous religious sites and hundreds of houses in Dwarka district under the guise of removing illegal encroachments and protecting national security.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the demolition drive, conducted under heavy police presence, saw the demolishing of 314 residential building, 9 commercial buildings and 12 religious structures including prominent Hazrat Panj Peer Dargah.

Bulldozers began demolishing from last Sunday, catching many residents off guard. Authorities had claimed that notices were issued to residents, but many locals reported receiving little to no warning before their homes were demolished. The destruction left people scrambling to salvage their belongings, with women and children seen in distress as their homes were torn down.

The authorities’ bulldozer-led action has been accompanied by heavy police deployment, preventing any resistance.

While condemning the demolishing drive, National Secretary of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Riyaz Farangipete stated bulldozer has become a weapon of the BJP rulers to target Muslims.

Critics stated that the real motive behind the demolition is a heavy-handed attempt to clear out Muslim community under the pretext of environmental protection.