India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan has alleged that she was stopped from travelling to Saharanpur and placed under house arrest at her Kairana residence after the demolition of a mosque inside the district magistrate’s office complex triggered a political row in Uttar Pradesh.
Hasan, who represents the Kairana Lok Sabha constituency, said a large police contingent reached her home when she was preparing to leave for Saharanpur to meet officials. Saharanpur is part of her parliamentary constituency, making the demolition a constituency matter for the 32-year-old MP.
Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan alleged house arrest to prevent her visit to Saharanpur following the demolition of an allegedly illegal mosque within the District Magistrate’s office complex, sparking political criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government from opposition parties.
“To prevent me from going to Saharanpur last night, a large police force was deployed at my Kairana residence and I was placed under house arrest,” Hasan said. She questioned whether an elected representative could be stopped from meeting officials over public concerns.
Iqra Hasan questions action after Saharanpur mosque demolition
The MP said public representatives are elected to raise people’s issues and cannot be blocked from doing so. “In a democracy, public representatives are elected to raise the voice of the people. That voice cannot be suppressed by stopping me,” she said, criticising the administration’s move.
The mosque was demolished in an overnight operation after the City Magistrate declared the structure illegal and an encroachment on government land. The order also imposed a fine of about Rs 6.41 crore on its occupants, according to details available from the proceedings.
The structure was located inside the Saharanpur District Magistrate’s office complex, a sensitive administrative area that houses official records and government activity. The administration maintained that the alleged encroachment and related activities raised concerns linked to security and confidentiality inside the office premises.
The action followed a complaint filed by Vikas Tyagi, a former provincial coordinator of the Bajrang Dal. The complaint alleged that the mosque had been illegally built on government land within the DM office complex and that parts of the premises were being used for commercial purposes.
It further alleged that a post office and rented rooms were operating from the premises, with rent being collected by the mosque committee. After hearing the matter, City Magistrate Kuldeep Singh ordered immediate demolition of the structure, describing it as an illegal occupation.
Opposition targets Uttar Pradesh government
The Samajwadi Party accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of preventing Hasan from reaching Saharanpur so that she could not raise the demolition issue with district officials. The party’s criticism added to a wider opposition attack over demolition actions involving religious structures in the state.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav responded with a brief but pointed comment, saying, “Maintaining harmony is the government’s greatest responsibility and also its achievement.” His remark came as the incident drew attention beyond Saharanpur and became part of the state’s political debate.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also criticised the state government over what she described as “hasty” action against mosques and other religious places declared illegal. In a post on X, she said such demolitions should be stopped immediately and alternative routes should be explored to settle disputes.
Mayawati said a constitutional and secular government must ensure equal respect and protection for people of all religions and their places of worship. She also expressed concern over demolition of homes of accused persons without due process, calling for the “rule of law by law”.
Her remarks widened the issue from the Saharanpur demolition to the broader use of demolition drives in Uttar Pradesh. Such actions have often prompted legal and political questions, especially when authorities move against structures described as encroachments or illegal constructions.
