Authorities in Gujarat have reportedly razed down over 186 commercial structures in Bahiyal Village of the Gandhinagar district on Thursday, following the communal violence that broke out during the Navratri, on September 24, after Muslim community members reportedly protested after a social media tiff between two men—one post reading “I Love Muhammad,” and the other “I Love Mahadev,”. During the unrest, alleged stone pelting and property vandalism unfolded. Nearly 60 individuals were detained, with over 200 allegedly involved in the violence. Tension flared further after a group of Muslims was allegedly assaulted.
Days after the incident, the administration reportedly issued notices, “to muslim shop owners,” leading to a large-scale demolition drive “under the presence of 400-500 police and civic personnel,” the victims who bore the brunt of the drive told FoEJ Media. The demolition drive was carried out under the pretext of clearing “encroachments.”
Gandhinagar District Collector Mehul Dave said, “Almost all the structures identified for demolition were razed in Bahiyal village. The illegal structures included those belonging to persons involved in the rioting incident as well as other encroachments.”
Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said, “We have identified illegal commercial establishments belonging to people involved in the rioting incident a few days ago. Around 50 of the accused are history-sheeters.”
Mustaqeen Malik (32), who claims that he “has all the papers,” saw his eighteen shops turning into heaps of debris. The sole breadwinner of the family of five, Malik, remains in limbo, oblivious to where this demolition will take him financially.
“That was our only source of income; they took it away and demolished the shop. No one is ready to listen. First, they put up a notice outside the shop, and the next day they came and tore it down. Nothing was properly explained.” Mustaqeen said while talking to FoEJ Media.
“Who do we even complain to? There’s no one to listen,” he added.
In Mustaqeen’s vicinity another shopkeeper, Mustafa Miya (76), laments the unbearable loss; the untoward demolition action has left him crestfallen.
“I had a motor shop—it was demolished. No one is even willing to take a look at the situation. They should have given at least 8 days’ notice,” he said while talking to FoEJ Media.
“How will we survive now? We’ll have to keep taking long loans from people to keep working,'” he added with a hint of despair in his voice.
Mustaqeen and Mustafa both told FoEJ Media that only a day’s notice was given to them; however, officials reportedly say that notices had been served in advance.
Ahad Khan Pathan, Gujarat state leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), who supported the shopkeepers in filing their petition, denounced the demolitions, calling them both unconstitutional and biased. In a statement to the media, Pathan criticized the actions as a clear instance of discrimination.
“There is no law that allows for demolishing a house simply because someone is accused in a rioting case. All of them are just accused, not convicted. It’s the court that will decide the fate of the accused after examining the case and its witnesses.”
“You are giving collective punishment to people. This is against the Constitution and a violation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines. You must follow the rules and regulations,” he said.
