comScore Fact-Finding Report Highlights Alleged Targeting of Minorities During Bet Dwarka Demolition Drive

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Vibes Of India
Vibes Of India

Fact-Finding Report Highlights Alleged Targeting of Minorities During Bet Dwarka Demolition Drive

| Updated: January 28, 2025 13:19

A fact-finding report released by the Gujarat unit of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has raised serious concerns about the large-scale demolition drive conducted in Bet Dwarka, Gujarat, between January 11 and 18. The report alleges that the demolition disproportionately targeted the Muslim community and violated constitutional and legal guidelines. 

The demolition, carried out by the district administration, forest department, and police, resulted in the destruction of 525 structures, including homes, mosques, and temples, across over 1.27 lakh square metres of land valued at Rs 73 crore.

Advocate and human rights activist Shamshad Khan Pathan told Vibes of India, “Nearly 90% of the houses destroyed in Dwarka belonged to Muslims. This demolition drive is just another example of Muslims being targeted in Bet Dwarka and across India.” 

Advocate Shamshad Khan Pathan

Pathan, president of the APCR’s Gujarat chapter, visited the affected areas along with a team to verify the allegations. “We formed a team and went to Bet Dwarka around 7–8 days after the demolitions started. Over 500 homes were destroyed, and we saw people living in tents with no clarity from the government on why this action was carried out,” he said.

Along with Pathan, social activist Sheeba Jeorge, cultural activist Saroop Druv, PUCL’s national secretary Prasad Chako, advocate Hozefa Ujjaini and APCR’s Gujarat unit secretary Ikram Mirza, were the members of the fact-finding team.

The report highlights that the demolition affected not just residences but also livelihoods. Approximately 300 fishermen were displaced, and a government school, where 400 students were studying, was shut down. 

Fact-Finding Report Released in Ahmedabad

“The school administration told parents to take their children’s certificates and enrol them in other schools as they were no longer living in the area,” Pathan said.

Residents claimed they had lived in the region for 30–40 years and were not engaged in illegal activities. However, notices were reportedly issued only one to 12 hours before demolitions, despite Supreme Court guidelines mandating a 15-day notice period.

Advocate Hozefa Ujjaini, a representative of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), criticised the lack of transparency in the operation. 

Advocate Hozefa Ujjaini

“We spoke to various civic organisations, reviewed news articles, and interviewed affected families. The government provided no clarity on the reasons behind this demolition and fed false narratives against Muslims. This Hindu-Muslim polarisation diverts attention from critical issues like unemployment, jobs, and inflation,” Ujjaini said.

The demolition drive was officially justified as part of an effort to remove unauthorised constructions on government land and safeguard critical maritime zones. 

Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu cited security concerns, saying, “From a national security perspective, this island is critical due to its proximity to international waters. There are concerns of narcotics landing here from international waters.” However, the report counters this claim, stating that only two narcotics-related cases have been reported in the region.

The Gujarat Minority Coordination Committee also criticised the government’s actions in a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. 

The letter, signed by convener Mujahid Nafees, stated, “There should be no discrimination between Hindus and Muslims in the clearing of encroachments.” 

Residents alleged that the government deliberately downplayed the demolition of Hindu-owned properties while focusing on those belonging to Muslims, fostering polarisation.

“Fishermen and boat owners most affected”

The fact-finding report also highlighted the economic downturn faced by boat owners and fishermen due to the construction of the signature (Sudarshan Setu) bridge, which connects Bet Dwarka. 

Sudarshan Setu

As highlighted by Pathan, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged that the bridge lacked environmental clearance. “Because of the bridge, industrialists and businessmen see profit in acquiring these lands, while the government ignores the livelihoods of the poor,” he said.

The government claimed that proper notices were issued and that demolitions were carried out according to the law. Public hearings were conducted on January 8 and 9, and demolitions began on January 10. However, locals argued that this timeline left them insufficient time to present documentation or prepare for the demolitions.

“Media is too a devil”

The report further criticised the role of the media in trivialising the issue, citing headlines such as “Baba ka Bulldozer” and “Dada ka Bulldozer.” 

“Media is making fun of this sensitive issue while families are left homeless,” Pathan said. He called on the government to create policies to ensure transparency, issue proper notices, and provide alternative housing and rehabilitation for affected families.

“The government talks about providing homes to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, but here they are snatching homes instead,” he said.

The report also drew attention to broader patterns of demolitions targeting Muslims in Gujarat, including in Kutch, Porbandar, and Junagadh. In some cases, dargahs and temples were demolished under the pretext of clearing government land. “This so-called development is destroying lives and livelihoods,” Pathan said.

The fact-finding team has called for immediate action, including policy reforms, rehabilitation of affected families, and accountability from the government. “We will continue to protest if this injustice continues. Development cannot come at the cost of human rights and livelihoods,” Pathan concluded.

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