Citing security threat, Gujarat launches demolition drive displacing thousands

May 21, 2025 by News Desk

A large-scale demolition operation carried out by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the Chandola Talab area has displaced thousands of Muslim families, triggering outrage from civil rights groups and community leaders who have denounced the move as “inhumane” and politically motivated.

The AMC targeted over 7,000 structures—primarily homes of Muslims—citing national security concerns following the April 26 militant attack in Pahalgam.

Authorities claim the demolished dwellings were illegally built and allegedly inhabited by undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. Since then, more than 6,500 residents, mostly Muslims, have reportedly been detained for citizenship verification.

Activists, however, argue that most detainees are Indian citizens with proper identification such as Aadhaar and voter ID cards.

The Gujarat High Court, in its April 29 ruling, upheld the demolition drive, referring to “sensitive inputs” received in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and stating that public safety and national security must take precedence over individual claims to unauthorized land.

Just a day earlier, on April 28, more than 4,000 shanties in Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas were razed, displacing migrant laborers and ragpickers—mainly from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bengal.

Community representatives accuse the administration of exploiting legal and security narratives to target Muslims.

Locals said that they were not served any notice which may contradict the orders of the apex court of India issued in November 2024.

The present Chief Justice of India mandated a 15-day notice, fair hearing, and videographic documentation before evictions—safeguards that were reportedly not followed.