The Bulldozer Raj: Modi’s Hindutva Govt Martyrs Another Mosque in UP’s Sambhal

The idea of a secular India, where all faiths could live together, is being systematically torn down by a state driven hateful ideology. The recent destruction of a mosque in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh is not a random act; it is a clear and painful example of a planned campaign to wipe Muslim identity from the country’s landscape. Under the guidance of the RSS-backed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the entire government system is being used to target and take from India’s largest minority. This terrible incident is another sad chapter in the ongoing story of state-approved destruction of Muslim religious history. It is a calculated policy aimed at turning India into a Hindu nation where Muslims are treated as second-class citizens, and the message from the government is clear: the symbols of Muslim faith are no longer safe.

A Deliberate Pattern of Erasing Muslim Heritage

The destruction of places of worship is a well-known method of crushing a community’s spirit, and the current Indian government has become an expert at this ugly practice. The demolition in Sambhal is not a single event but follows a familiar and dangerous pattern that has become much worse under the Modi government.

♦ The Babri Masjid as a Blueprint: The destruction of the historic Babri Masjid in 1992 by extremist Hindu mobs was the first major act in this campaign, serving as the model for future actions and making extremist groups feel more powerful.

♦ A Systematic Attack on History: Following this example, a planned attack is now happening against many important Muslim religious sites, from the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi to the Shahi Eidgah in Mathura, using false historical stories and legal tricks.

Using State Power to Crush Minorities

What is most disturbing about the current situation is that the government itself is leading the attack. The demolition in Sambhal was not done by an angry mob; it was carried out under the watchful eye of a large force of Indian paramilitary and police, showing that this act had full government approval.

♦ The Aggressive Yogi Model: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has openly promoted a hardline Hindu nationalist agenda, with his statements about changing Sambhal signalling that the district’s Muslim history was targeted for removal.

♦ The Excuse of ‘Illegal Construction’: The government’s official reason, an “anti-encroachment drive,” is a shameful and obvious lie used unfairly against Muslim properties and has become a symbol of the “Bulldozer Raj” that crushes opposition.

How the Law is Used to Justify Injustice

Under the BJP, the Indian state has increasingly used laws and administrative rules to make its ideological goals seem legal. The law, which is supposed to protect the rights of minorities, is being bent and twisted to become a tool for oppression.

♦ Finding Excuses in the Law: The argument of encroachment is a simple excuse that ignores the special protections that should be given to religious places, as seen when local voices in Sambhal were ignored by an administration with a pre-planned goal.

♦ Silence from the Courts: The higher courts have been unwilling to step in and stop these obvious violations of religious freedom, creating a situation where extremists feel they can act without consequences.

Building a Hindu State on Muslim History

The actions taking place in Uttar Pradesh are a key part of the BJP’s bigger plan to strengthen its political power by appealing to its Hindu nationalist supporters. Yogi Adityanath’s style of governing is being shown as the model for the future of India.

♦ Following the Gujarat Example: Adityanath’s aggressive policies are a chilling reminder of the situation in Gujarat when Narendra Modi was chief minister, which led to horrific anti-Muslim violence in 2002.

♦ The Symbolism of New Temples: The transformation of Ayodhya after building the Ram Mandir is celebrated as a victory for Hindu pride, and the BJP clearly states its goal of building a new India on the ruins of its diverse past.

A Wider Attack on Muslim Life and Culture

The demolition of mosques is just the most visible part of a much larger attack on the identity and existence of Muslims in India. This is not just about buildings; it is about breaking the spirit of an entire community and making them feel like outsiders in their own country.

♦ More Than Just Bricks and Mortar: The assault extends to religious practices, food, and clothing through arguments over the hijab, attacks on halal meat, and constant fear-mongering about “love jihad.”

♦ Laws that Create Inequality: New laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) openly discriminate against Muslims, and the threat of a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) is used to question their citizenship.

The Collapse of India’s Secular Promise

Every time a bulldozer tears down a mosque, it is also tearing down the founding idea of Indian secularism. The government’s actions show that it has completely abandoned its constitutional duty to protect all religions equally.

♦ A Betrayal of the Constitution: The promise of a secular and diverse India is being systematically broken as the government’s direct role in religious persecution shows a clear shift towards a state where the majority rules.

♦ Destroying the Nation’s Fabric: The Modi government’s determined push for its Hindu nationalist agenda is putting the final nail in the coffin of Indian secularism, showing it to be just a slogan, not a reality.

International Silence and Dangers for the Region

The world’s mostly quiet response to the growing oppression of Muslims in India is both shameful and dangerous. The Indian government sees this silence as permission to continue its hateful policies without facing any international pressure.

♦ Major Powers Look the Other Way: Western countries that often speak about human rights have been noticeably silent, appearing to value strategic and economic ties with New Delhi more than their principles.

♦ Risks for South Asian Peace: The promotion of extremism and the oppression of over 200 million Muslims have serious consequences for peace and stability in the region, creating deep anger that can spread beyond India’s borders.

A Grim Warning for the Future

The demolition of the mosque in Sambhal is a dark sign of the future that the BJP and its parent organization, the RSS, want for India. It is a future where the country’s rich, mixed history is rewritten, its minorities are crushed, and its democracy is nothing but an empty shell.

♦ A Violent Declaration of Intent: This act of destruction was not about land or laws; it was a loud and violent statement of the government’s true intentions and its hostile ideology.

♦ An Urgent Call for Attention: It confirms that under this regime, the safety of Muslims and their places of worship is no longer guaranteed by the state, and the world must take notice before the ideals of justice and equality are completely bulldozed into history.