Muslim Homes in India Demolished Due to Cow Incidents, Leading to Public Outrage

In a deeply controversial move, authorities in Madhya Pradesh have demolished the Muslim homes of four men shortly after detaining them on charges of allegedly throwing bovine remains at a temple in Jawra, Ratlam district. This action has sparked significant outrage and debate about the legality and morality of such measures.

According to Zaid Pathan from the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Madhya Pradesh chapter, the police first arrested Shariq Qureshi and Salman, both aged 18-20, on June 14. They were accused of throwing bovine remains at a temple in Jawra. On the same day, without prior notice, their homes were demolished. Subsequently, two more men, Naushad and Shahrukh, were arrested on similar charges. Despite the families’ pleas and a petition filed by APCR in the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking a stay on the demolitions, authorities razed significant portions of Naushad and Shahrukh’s homes on June 16.

Legal and Human Rights Concerns

Pathan reported that the demolition notices, dated June 14, were only issued around 12:30 PM on June 16, with demolitions beginning shortly after that. The High Court granted a stay order at 2:30 PM, but by then, the demolitions had already occurred. An APCR fact-finding team confirmed that the demolished houses were on legal lands and not public properties. They termed the demolition drive illegal and highlighted that authorities faced threats of a “bandh call” on Eid if they didn’t act against the accused families.

The APCR’s report also questioned the police’s claim of having video evidence, noting that the temple’s CCTV cameras were off during the alleged incident. The men were only seen walking on a nearby road in footage from a roadside camera. Furthermore, women from the families of the Muslim homes demolished were allegedly attacked, mistreated, and injured during the demolition drive.

Broader Context and Reactions

This incident is not isolated. Recently, in the tribal-dominated Mandla district, the homes of 11 people were demolished after alleged beef was found in their refrigerators. The police claimed to have received a tip-off about cows being brought to the area for slaughter, leading to the raids and subsequent demolitions.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has previously expressed strong disapproval of such demolition drives without due process. In February 2014, a bench headed by Justice Vivek Rusia observed that demolitions should only be carried out after giving the owner a proper opportunity to regularize the construction. Despite these observations, the state administration continues its aggressive approach, raising concerns about the violation of due process and principles of natural justice.

Voices of Outrage

The demolition of Muslim homes in Madhya Pradesh has drawn widespread condemnation. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi reacted strongly on Twitter, drawing parallels with the 2015 Akhlaq lynching case over alleged beef possession. He accused the Madhya Pradesh government of continuing injustice against Muslims.

Journalist and IIT Research Scholar Aasif Mujtaba termed the demolitions the “biggest oppressive tool against Muslims in India.” He highlighted that despite Muslims forming only 6.5% of Madhya Pradesh’s population, their establishments are often bulldozed over minor issues, calling it “executive excess and state-sponsored terror.”

Dr. Ilyas SQR, President of the World Peace Institute, labeled the incident as “State Terror!” on Twitter. Prominent Islamic scholar Samiullah Khan lambasted the incident as “blatant injustice and HATE against Muslims.”

Delhi-based lawyer and activist Kawalpreet Kaur stated, “Beef or no beef – Demolition is unjust, cruel, and illegal. The court must order for rebuilding their houses immediately, compensation to families, and action against officials who ordered demolition.”

Government’s Stand

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has issued a stern warning, stating that atrocities against cows will not be tolerated. He justified the demolition of homes in Mandla district where police claimed to have rescued around 150 cows. Yadav warned of strict action against those committing atrocities against cows.

Muslim homes are demolished in Madhya Pradesh over alleged cow-related incidents highlights a severe and controversial issue. As the state administration continues its stringent approach, concerns about human rights violations and due process persist, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for justice. The actions taken against these families underscore the need for a balanced and lawful response to such sensitive issues.