Demolition of Mosques in Rajasthan Border Villages Sparks Legal Challenge and Interfaith Unity

In Barmer's Kerkori village, Hishamuddin Sindhi stands amid the wreckage of what was once a mosque. Concrete slabs, bricks, and construction debris lie scattered; only a tall, white minaret remains. 'We built it with such hardship, but now it's gone. This is the only mosque within a 10-km radius. Where are we supposed to go now?' says Sindhi, the mosque's maulvi.

This mosque is one of 12 that a writ petition in the Rajasthan High Court claims were demolished between June 18 and 20 across eight border villages in Barmer and four in Bikaner. The demolitions occurred within a 15-km radius of the international border, triggering widespread protests.

Officially, the notices issued under Section 91 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, cite land use violations, claiming the mosques stood on Gochar (pastoral) land. On May 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed authorities to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy against illegal structures within 15 km of the international border and demolish them.

Residents, however, claim the notices appeared suddenly and the demolitions were carried out without due process. They allege no other structures, including temples on similar land, have been demolished. 'When the administration left, every Hindu in my village was at my house expressing grief over the mosque. No Muslim cooked food for four days after the demolition, and Hindus used to send food for us,' says Hishamuddin.

The demolitions have spurred interfaith unity. Hundreds of residents, both Hindu and Muslim, have banded together under the 'Sarv Dharm Shanti Sabha,' holding marches and submitting memos to the administration. Paradiya sarpanch Sorta Ram Meghwal, who joined the rally, says, 'We're not supporting encroachments, but if the government has decided to demolish one set of structures, it should do the same for others too. When you are a minority, you cannot raise your voice against injustice, but it shakes the democratic foundations of this country.'

On November 13, 2024, the Supreme Court held that demolitions without due process violate the rule of law and said affected parties must receive prior notice and at least 15 days to respond. Residents claim that although the notices were dated earlier in the month, they received them only a day before the demolitions. At Kerkori, residents say they received the June 11 notice only on June 17.

Barmer Collector Chinmay Gopal, Superintendent Chuna Ram Jat, and Rajasthan Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal declined to comment. The Border Security Force also declined to respond.

The legal battle continues as the writ petition seeks to challenge the demolitions and demand adherence to due process. For residents, the demolitions have become a unifying force across faiths, highlighting the delicate balance between security concerns and constitutional rights.