Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have begun the demolition of five mosques, part of a campaign the local government says is aimed at cracking down on “unauthorized” and unlicensed buildings.
According to reports, dozens of mosques and other religious buildings have been demolished in various parts of India in recent years. The government of Uttar Pradesh, which is governed by the ruling Hindu party, has emphasized that these actions are being taken solely based on building codes.
However, critics and a number of human rights organizations have considered these measures to be part of anti-Muslim policies in India and have expressed concern about their impact on religious freedoms and minority rights.
The publication of images of the destruction of mosques using bulldozers has sparked widespread reactions and criticism among Muslim communities inside and outside India.
These events come amid reports of increased religious tensions and concerns about the situation of religious minorities in India in recent years.
