CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, CPI(M) and Forward Bloc, jointly held protests on September 15 in all districts of Uttar Pradesh against the demolition of the 1911-built mosque in Saharanpur Collectorate. The demolition was done without providing the affected party an opportunity to appeal before the High Court.
The continuous attacks on the rule of law and constitutional rights in Uttar Pradesh are a matter of concern. The demolition of the more than a century-old mosque in Saharanpur raises serious questions regarding due legal process and the right to religious freedom. The CPIML and other parties demanded that the strict compliance with the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, must be ensured with regard to religious places.
Memorandums were also sent through the district officials to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh demanding that the rule of law be ensured in the state, actions targeting religious places be stopped, and immediate positive action be taken in order to protect the Constitutional, judicial and democratic rights of all.
Activists organised resistance marches with slogans condemning the Yogi government’s hooliganism and jungle raj for demolishing the Saharanpur mosque, creating a communal atmosphere and spreading hatred.
Protests were held at all districts including Ghazipur, Moradabad, Varanasi, Lucknow, Pilibhit, Behat tehsil in Saharanpur, Nagina and Bijnor.
Sudhakar Yadav, CPIML UP Secretary, strongly condemned the demolition of the 70-year-old mosque located at the Saharanpur Collectorate by using a bulldozer. He described it as the BJP government’s politics of hatred and its mindset of targeting Muslims. The demolition of the mosque is yet another form of the illegal and unconstitutional bulldozer rule prevailing in the state, he said.
