Why Destroying Mosques Has Become India’s Shocking New Obsession

The appetite for the Destroying Mosques in India, it seems, continues unabated since the infamous destruction of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. While that tragic event marked a significant point in the country’s communal history, it has evidently not been the last. Recent media reports are rife with instances of mosques being destroyed in various states including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, demonstrating a troubling trend of targeting Muslim places of worship.

There needs to be a systematic count of how many mosques have been destroyed or forcibly taken over since the Babri Masjid demolition. The disturbing pattern suggests a targeted campaign of destroying mosques that has intensified in recent years, with religious and communal fault lines being exploited for political gains. The latest incident occurred on Friday, September 13, 2024, in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad). Here, Muslim worshippers arriving for their weekly Friday prayers found their mosque reduced to rubble without any prior notice or adherence to legal procedures.

The Railway Colony mosque, located just 150 meters from the Prayagraj Railway Station, was demolished by local authorities under the pretext of it being an unauthorized structure. This was done without informing the mosque’s caretakers or the community, and no legal recourse was provided to challenge the action. Eyewitnesses have recounted how copies of the Holy Quran inside the mosque were desecrated during the demolition process, exacerbating the pain felt by the local Muslim community.

Some apologists for these actions have argued that the mosque was constructed on unauthorized land, which purportedly justifies its demolition. However, this argument does not absolve the authorities from their duty to follow due process, nor does it diminish the violation of religious freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. The fact remains that this was a functioning mosque where Muslims regularly came to worship, and under the right to religious freedom, their places of worship should be protected. In this case, as in many others, the Muslim community appears to be subject to targeted attacks, further deepening the sense of injustice and marginalization.

This incident has undoubtedly hurt the religious sentiments of local Muslims, who were left shocked and aggrieved by such an outrageous act. The sudden destroying mosques without consultation or prior warning has not only violated the rights of worshippers but has also raised serious concerns about the protection of Muslim religious sites in India. Legal protocols that should be adhered to in such matters were blatantly ignored, sending a chilling message to the community that their places of worship are not safe.

What we are witnessing is a disturbing trend where Hindutva elements have found a new way to attack the Muslim community—by targeting mosques under the pretext of unauthorized construction. It is worth noting that other recent examples demonstrate a similar pattern. In Himachal Pradesh, two incidents grabbed national headlines: the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla and another mosque in Mandi faced allegations of unauthorized construction. However, in both instances, there was at least an attempt at peaceful resolution, with consultations held between the authorities and the concerned parties to avoid conflict.

Unfortunately, the Railway Colony mosque in Prayagraj did not benefit from any such deliberations. Instead, the demolition appears to have been a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Muslim community, revealing an underlying anti-Muslim agenda that permeates much of the political discourse today. The lack of any meaningful dialogue with the mosque’s caretakers or the Muslim community, combined with the high-handed nature of the demolition, only serves to deepen the community’s sense of vulnerability and persecution.

This scenario paints a grim picture of contemporary India, where the destruction of Muslim religious sites has become an all-too-common occurrence. Whether motivated by political opportunism, religious animosity, or a combination of both, the actions of local authorities and political actors point to a dangerous trend. The pattern of destroying mosques in the name of legality, but without following due legal procedures, reveals a broader, more insidious agenda aimed at marginalizing the Muslim community.

The Prayagraj incident is only the latest example in a long list of mosque demolitions, but it is indicative of a wider systemic issue that threatens the pluralistic fabric of India. A country that prides itself on its secularism and diversity cannot afford to let such incidents become routine. If this trend continues unchecked, it will further alienate and disenfranchise India’s Muslim population, exacerbating communal tensions and undermining the constitutional principles that form the foundation of the nation. The international community, along with domestic voices of reason, must raise their concerns and demand that India uphold its commitments to religious freedom and the protection of all its citizens, regardless of their faith.

The ongoing demolition of mosques across India is a worrying reflection of the broader socio-political climate. The Prayagraj mosque’s destruction is but one in a series of attacks on Muslim religious sites, revealing a coordinated effort to disenfranchise an already vulnerable community. If India is to remain true to its secular principles, it must ensure that religious freedoms are protected for all its citizens, and that the rule of law prevails over mob mentality and political expediency.