On May 29, 2025, authorities in Bhojpur village, Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, demolished an under-construction mosque, leading to significant unrest among local residents. The demolition was carried out by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar, Subodh Kumar, accompanied by police and Rapid Response Force personnel, without prior notice to the community.
Local leaders, including former Gram Pradhan Wajid Ali and Zila Panchayat board member Majid Ali, stated that the mosque was being built on land donated by two brothers in 2023. Since then, community members had been offering prayers under a temporary tin-roofed structure. Construction of the permanent mosque began a year ago, with the ground floor nearing completion at the time of demolition.
Congress MP Imran Masood criticized the demolition, asserting that no formal notice was issued and that the action lacked procedural fairness. He emphasized that the Religious Endowments Act of 1863 does not require prior permission for constructing religious structures.
In contrast, district officials maintained that the mosque was an unauthorized construction lacking necessary approvals, including a sanctioned building plan. They claimed that a notice had been served, but construction continued regardless, prompting the demolition.
This incident has intensified debates over religious freedoms and administrative procedures in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting tensions between local communities and governmental authorities.
