In a controversial move, the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation’s “anti-encroachment” team demolished Alif Anjuman Madrasa in Laxtirth Vasahat colony, triggering strong reaction opposition from the Muslim community on Wednesday, February 1. According to reports, a large large crowd gathered in the area, during the demolition. including women and children and raised slogans. Following this, the authorities enforced section 144 in the area to maintain law and order.
The move by the municipal corporation raises serious questions as reports suggest that the madrasa’s appeal in court was scheduled for February 2. People from the Muslim community are asking if the court was about to hear the case regarding the alleged illegal structure, why was it razed a day before it? This move is one more case of the Bulldozer being used against the state’s minorities by the Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena-Bharaitiya Janata Party (BJP) regime).
Atmosphere tense
As per reports, during the demolition, locals shouted slogans and expressed their disagreement which escalated tension in the area. Although police have successfully maintained peace till now with implementation of section 144 , the atmosphere in the area remains tense. Reports suggest that strict identity checks have been enforced for those moving in and out of the areas.
Interestingly, the Laxtirth Vasahat Peace Committee had said that the structure in question has not faced complaints from locals or the community, asserting that actions are based on external complaints. Yesterday, former corporator Anandrao Khedkar, Yuvraj Khandagale, and peace committee members demanded an extension of encroachment proceedings in light of these concerns.
Protest from Hindutva organisations led to Bulldozer action?
Due to some questions about permissions around this Madrassa, far right Hindutva organisations had asked that the Alif Anjuman madrasa in Laxtirth Vasahat Colony be closed down. Following the protests of Hindutva organisations, the trust received a notice from the local corporation instructing them to remove the structure. In the meanwhile, the trust submitted a petition to the court. Following the court hearing on the petition, a temporary stay was granted for a certain period of time. Later, the court had denied the application to restrict the action in a hearing on January 23. However, the Municipal Corporation anti-encroachment team made all the necessary preparations and headed to demolish the Madrasa on Wednesday at approximately seven in the morning. The madrasa was razed down with the help of three JCBs, a dumper, fire department vehicles, etc.
The entire demolition was incited it appears from local news reports after a complaint by the controversial Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in May 2023. Thereafter as pressure built up, authorities came and sealed the Madrassa in December 2023. There unconfirmed allegations, of a bus of “children” being “stoned” after some of them raised the slogan “Jai Sri Ram.”
Hindutva organisations participating in the protests
In fact Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, BJP, Shiv Sena, Hindu Ekta Andolan, Hindu Mahasabha, etc. have been active in these protests against the Madrassa.
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250-year-old mosque in Delhi partially demolished in “anti encroachment drive”
Evictions are at an all-time high as bulldozers gain momentum in the country