Barmer Mosque Demolished During Border Anti-Encroachment Drive

Days after a mosque demolition in Jaipur drew attention, authorities in Rajasthan’s Barmer district demolished another mosque in Malana village near the India-Pakistan border.

Officials stated that the structure had been identified as an encroachment on government land during an ongoing anti-encroachment campaign known as ‘Operation Clean’.

The administration has launched a large-scale exercise to identify and remove unauthorised structures on government land within a 50-kilometre radius of the international border.

The demolition was carried out in the presence of police and administrative officials.

Residents claim they received notice of the encroachment only a day before the demolition took place.

Villagers allege that they were trying to approach the authorities to present their case. They claim officials arrived in the village and carried out the demolition before they could do so.

According to residents, the disputed land had previously been converted into a settlement area. They also claim that inconsistencies in digital land records may have contributed to the dispute.

Villagers also said the mosque was built nearly two years ago with contributions from residents.

Political Reactions and Criticism

The demolition has become a political issue, with opposition leaders questioning the manner in which the drive is being conducted.

Barmer MP Umedaram Beniwal, Baytoo MLA and former Cabinet Minister Harish Choudhary, along with other Congress leaders, criticised the process during a press conference.

Harish Choudhary argued that harmony and social cohesion have long defined the Thar region and should be preserved. He alleged that notices and demolitions in border areas were being undertaken without adequate dialogue or consultation with elected representatives.

Authorities and security agencies maintain that the demolition formed part of a routine operation. They said the drive was aimed at removing illegal encroachments from government land in a sensitive border region.

Opposition leaders continue to demand greater transparency in the process. They have also called for strict adherence to due process, keeping the controversy in the political spotlight.

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