Indian authorities in Madhya Pradesh have demolished the home of Haji Shahzad Ali, a prominent Muslim politician, following his protest against alleged Islamophobic remarks made by Hindu religious leader Pandit Ram Giri Maharaj.
The demolition occurred after Maharaj reportedly made controversial statements about Islam during a recent event. Rather than addressing the statements made by Maharaj, officials chose to target Ali’s residence with bulldozers.
Congress party leader Priyanka Gandhi condemned the action, describing it as a grave injustice.
“Taking away the roof over Muslims’ heads is a severe injustice,” she said. Gandhi criticized the use of bulldozers for demolishing homes, calling it “completely unacceptable” and demanding that such practices cease immediately.
This incident highlights a troubling trend in India, where actions against minority communities, especially Muslims, have been increasingly reported.
Over the past two years, more than 150,000 homes have been demolished, leaving around 738,000 people homeless due to similar actions.
The demolition has sparked renewed debate about the treatment of minorities in India.
The move has faced backlash from opposition political parties and human rights organizations, who argue that it reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and injustice. The controversy has intensified calls for greater protection of minority rights and scrutiny of governmental actions impacting vulnerable communities.