Uttarakhand: Muslim organisations protest closure of Mosques and Madrassas
Uttarakhand: Muslim organisations protest closure of Mosques and Madrassas
M.U.H
06/03/202539
On Wednesday, members of various Muslim organizations staged a protest in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, against the closure of madrasas and mosques following actions taken by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA).
The protestors gathered outside the district magistrate’s office, voicing their opposition to what they deemed an unjustified move by the administration. Tensions rose as the police intervened and detained several demonstrators.
Muslim leaders criticized the timing of the closures, arguing that the action was deliberately taken during the holy month of Ramadan. Naeem Qureshi, the president of one of the organizations, stated, “This is a clear case of discrimination,” highlighting that no prior notice was given, nor was any explanation provided about the legal grounds for sealing the madrasas and mosques.
Protestors warned that if their demands were not met, their agitation would escalate. Qureshi emphasized, “The arbitrary manner in which this has been done is unacceptable. We demand an immediate explanation and the reopening of our religious institutions.”
The protestors expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the authorities regarding the closures.
In response, local authorities defended their actions, citing legal violations related to the construction of the religious institutions. SP City Pramod Kumar explained that the protestors refused to leave the district magistrate’s office, prompting police intervention. He added that the protestors were taken into custody as a preventive measure but were later released.
Over the past few days, the MDDA and district authorities sealed four madrasas and one mosque, labeling them as illegal constructions. This has sparked significant outrage within the Muslim community, who view the move as an infringement on their religious rights.
The administration has assured the public that discussions are ongoing to address the issue.
