A mosque demolishes in India

India’s local authorities in Saharanpur demolished a mosque located inside the District Magistrate’s office complex on Saturday (5 September), in the presence of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the City Magistrate, amid a heavy police presence.

The Court of the City Magistrate declared the mosque illegal last month and issued an order for its demolition.

Lok Sabha MP Iqra Hasan from Kairana, who was scheduled to visit Saharanpur on Saturday (September 5, 2026), was placed under house arrest. The MP alleged that as she was leaving her home to travel to Saharanpur, a large police force arrived at her residence and prevented her from leaving.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) alleged the BJP is continuously trying to “stoke unrest in the State along communal lines before the 2027 Assembly polls”.

Muslim bodies denounce demolitions of religious structures, seek legal relief

“Iqra Hasan is an MP from our party, and we have received information that she has been placed under house arrest along with the local MLA and others. The BJP is completely trampling constitutional rights. There can be no greater threat to democracy than placing an MP under house arrest,” said Afzal Ansari, Lok Sabha MP from Ghazipur and senior SP leader.

Regarding the step of demolition, Ansari said, “It is the responsibility of a public representative to go to the spot, talk to the people, and resolve the issues. Therefore, this is an undemocratic step by the government, and we condemn it. As we move closer to the 2027 elections, the BJP is continuously trying to stoke unrest in the State on communal lines.”

Source: The Hindu