Bengaluru: Fresh demolitions draw sharp condemnation from Muslim leaders
Strong condemnation has poured in from Muslim religious and community leaders following the demolition of homes by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in Thanisandra, north Bengaluru, where around 22 structures were razed without any prior notice, leaving families homeless.
Reacting to the demolitions, Maulana Mufti Dr. Md Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Imam and Khateeb of Jamia Masjid, Bengaluru, said he personally visited Thoba Layout in Thanisandra near Nagawara after the sudden bulldozer action.
In a strong statement, Rashadi said the community stood in solidarity with the affected residents and assured them that efforts were being made to prevent any further demolitions.
“The bulldozer action against minority houses in Bengaluru has shamed humanity,” he said, calling demolitions without prior notice “a blatant act of oppression and an inhuman practice” that had caused irreparable damage.
He added that Muslim religious and community leaders had met the Chief Minister of Karnataka to express “strong displeasure and concern” over the injustice, demanding strict action against responsible officials and immediate rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced families.
Echoing similar concerns, Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi, President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Karnataka, criticised the government’s claims of ignorance regarding the demolitions in Kogilu and Thoba Layout.
“If the government truly had no knowledge, it raises a serious question about who is actually running the administration,” he said.
Qasmi pointed out that a government formed with the support of minorities, particularly Muslims, could not justify adopting what he described as divisive bulldozer actions reminiscent of previous communal regimes.
Warning that such actions reflected a “troubling loss of humanity,” he said the lack of accountability had deepened public anger and anguish, calling for immediate action against erring officials and fair rehabilitation of affected families to restore public trust.
As reported by Maktoob earlier, the demolitions were carried out in the early hours of Thursday without any written notice, a fact later admitted by BDA officials themselves.
Residents said officials arrived with police personnel and earthmovers around 7 a.m., ordered them to vacate immediately, and began razing homes despite many families possessing valid documents, including e-khata certificates, electricity connections and property papers.
Several residents, including women and those with health conditions, were rendered homeless overnight.
BDA Commissioner P. Manivannan later acknowledged a prima facie lapse by the agency’s Special Task Force, stating there was no record to show that residents had been served notices.
While the BDA has announced rehabilitation measures and ordered a probe, appointing retired Justice Niyaz Ahmed to investigate the matter within 30 days, community leaders say accountability and justice must follow, warning that continued silence and impunity risk further alienation of marginalised communities.
