Allegations, laws, and demolitions: How narratives have facilitated displacement of Muslim communities

By Raqif Makhdoomi 

There is an old saying: “Give a dog a bad name and hang him.” It refers to how tarnishing a person’s reputation can pave the way for punishment without due process. In recent years, this idea has found disturbing echoes in the treatment of India’s Muslim minority, particularly through narratives that portray them as threats and laws that disproportionately affect them.

Various tropes and campaigns have targeted Muslims—ranging from accusations of "population explosion" to sensationalised terms such as "Love Jihad" and "Jeans Jihad." These narratives, amplified across media and political platforms, have contributed to a perception of Muslims as inherently suspect. The use of terms like these has coincided with legal and extrajudicial measures that many human rights observers say have disproportionately impacted Muslims, such as anti-conversion laws, the UAPA, and demolitions of homes and localities following allegations of wrongdoing.

One of the more recent and visible manifestations of this is the increasing use of demolitions. Several BJP-led state governments have been accused of using bulldozers to raze homes—particularly those belonging to Muslims—either in the name of law enforcement or urban development. Critics argue that such actions often ignore due process, with demolitions taking place even when court-issued stay orders exist.

The practice gained attention in Uttar Pradesh, where the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration has linked demolitions to crime control. In some cases, houses belonging to Muslim individuals accused (but not convicted) of crimes have been razed, while co-accused from other communities have not faced similar action. This selective targeting raises concerns about collective punishment, which is in conflict with basic legal principles, including the presumption of innocence.

This pattern is not limited to Uttar Pradesh. In Assam, over 4,500 homes—mostly belonging to Muslims—have been demolished in the past few months across districts such as Hasila, Chapar, Bilasipara, and Pakin. Further demolitions are expected in Uriamghat. In Delhi, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) recently demolished dozens of homes in the Jogabai Extension area on July 18, 2025, displacing thousands, including elderly residents like 79-year-old Akhila Begum, who now finds herself homeless with no clear recourse.

In Delhi’s Jai Hind Camp, 1,000 jhuggis (slum homes) housing 8,000 people face imminent demolition. The settlement has been without electricity since July 8, despite extreme heat. According to data compiled by the Delhi Rights Task Force, over 3,000 houses across 23 settlements have been demolished in the capital, affecting at least 15,000 residents. Many of those displaced report having received little to no notice, and some have been promised alternative housing that has yet to materialize.

These actions have taken place in a broader context where Muslims often face housing discrimination, making it harder for displaced families to find new accommodation. This marginalisation is further reinforced by selective media reporting—where Muslim names are highlighted in crime stories, while individuals from other communities are anonymised.

The combined effect of these developments has led many to believe that a system is being put in place that, while appearing legal on paper, is discriminatory in practice. Whether these measures are deliberate or the outcome of systemic bias, they raise urgent questions about equal treatment under the law.

While data on these demolitions is publicly available, what requires more public engagement is the growing normalisation of selective enforcement. The issue goes beyond communal lines—any erosion of legal protections and equal rights for one group eventually threatens the entire democratic framework.

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Raqif Makhdoomi is a law student and human rights activist