In the wake of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s remarks on Prophet Mohammed, several protests erupted across India against BJP and its anti-Muslim propaganda. Police in Uttar Pradesh razed the homes of the accused and those linked to them who took part in the protests.
Several homes came crumbling down to the ground in Uttar Pradesh after the authorities razed the buildings of the accused linked to the violent protests over the Prophet Mohammed row.
The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, Yogi Adityanath, ordered officials to demolish any illegal buildings and homes of people accused of their involvement in riots last week, the BJP’s state spokesperson said.
The Indian authorities bulldozed several homes in Kanpur, Saharanpur, and Prayagraj amid heavy police deployment. Javed Mohammed, a leader of the welfare party of India and the father of student activist Afreen Fatima, was named a key conspirator in the protests by the U.P. police. He was taken into custody on Friday to probe his involvement in the protests. Claiming that Javed instigated the protests, the police authorities destroyed his home in Prayagraj on Sunday. A student activist and daughter of Javed Mohammed, Afreen Fatima, appealed and raised concerns about their safety and her father.
The police claimed recovery of country-made pistols during a search operation at Javed’s residence. SSP Ajay Kumar stated that they recovered two country-made pistols, objectionable posters, and several cartridges from the house. Further, the examination is under process, and the documents found will be part of the investigation.
The Kanpur and Saharanpur Bulldoze:
The homes of two accused in Saharanpur, Muzammil and Abdul Waqir were demolished on Friday, June 10. The accused were linked as suspects in the protests that erupted in Saharanpur. Meanwhile, the Kanpur district administration demolished a building owned by Mohammad Ishtiyaq – a close relative of Hayat Zafar Hashmi. The police report that the building was illegally built and a notice was already issued. Hayat Zafar is considered a ‘key conspirator’ and a mastermind behind the Kanpur violence on June 3. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office said that police had the liberty and instructions to take stern action against those with “antisocial thoughts.”
With rising concerns over the Hindu-Muslim conflict, India is staring at yet another communal riot. Questions are hurled at the ruling party about the “bulldoze politics”. A legal, lawful act or another political fracas?
