In a firm step against what officials are describing as a case of “land jihad,” Ghaziabad Mayor Sunita Dayal has taken action against an illegally constructed religious structure occupying a government green belt near the New Bus Stand on GT Road.
During a field inspection, Mayor Dayal found that a shrine had been erected without any official approval. She promptly directed officials to file an FIR against the cleric responsible and instructed the removal of associated items like a water tank and construction materials. A video of the incident, showing the mayor confronting the cleric and calling out the misuse of public space, quickly went viral on social media.
Speaking to TFI Media, Mayor Dayal emphasized that public land cannot be misused under the guise of religious expression. “Anyone encroaching on government land in the name of religion will face legal consequences,” she said, while announcing a city-wide survey to identify similar cases. She also condemned the practice of placing religious symbols on roads and footpaths, calling it disrespectful both to the law and to religious sentiment.
This move aligns with the broader stance of the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, which has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal religious encroachments. Civic authorities are now focusing on reclaiming public spaces for their intended use and ensuring equal enforcement of law across all communities.
Recent Similar Incidents of Land Jihad
Katarniaghat Sanctuary (UP): Forest officials demolished four unauthorized shrines located inside the protected wildlife zone. These structures were built after 1986 and lacked legal backing.
Rampur & Sambhal (UP): In late June, authorities cleared a mosque, a shrine, and multiple shops and homes illegally set up on public land. Demolitions took place early morning with full police support.
Sambhal Road Project (UP): In a rare show of cooperation, both a mosque-shrine and a temple blocking road development were voluntarily dismantled by the community to make way for infrastructure work.
Indo-Nepal Border Districts (UP): Over 400 unapproved religious structures—madrasas, shrines, and mosques—were removed or flagged in a state-led crackdown near sensitive border areas.
Uttarakhand Statewide Drive: Over 5,000 acres of public and forest land were freed from illegal religious encroachments, including 465 mazars and dozens of unauthorized temples, as part of the Dhami government’s land-clearing operation.
(This article is written by Adheesh Vats)
