The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised religious structures near the Nepal border, demolishing 225 madrasas, 30 mosques, 25 mazars, and six Eidgahs. Recent demolitions include madrasas in Maharajganj’s Pharenda tehsil and structures in Shravasti and Bahraich.
The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown on illegal religious structures in districts bordering Nepal, targeting unauthorised madrasas, mosques, mazars, and Eidgahs. So far, 225 madrasas, 30 mosques, 25 mazars, and six Eidgahs have been demolished as part of this drive, according to official sources.
Districts along the India-Nepal border, including Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Pilibhit, have seen increased bulldozer action against illegal encroachments on government land. On Wednesday, two illegal madrasas were demolished in Semrahni and Jugouli villages in Maharajganj’s Pharenda tehsil, while unauthorized religious structures were also removed in Shravasti’s Bhinga tehsil and Bahraich’s forest area.
Breakdown of demolitions by district:
| District | Madrasas | Mosques | Mazars | Eidgahs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharajganj | 29 | 09 | 07 | 01 |
| Siddharthnagar | 35 | 09 | 00 | 00 |
| Balrampur | 30 | 00 | 10 | 01 |
| Shravasti | 110 | 01 | 05 | 02 |
| Bahraich | 13 | 08 | 02 | 01 |
| Lakhimpur Kheri | 08 | 02 | 01 | 01 |
| Pilibhit | 00 | 01 | 00 | 00 |
| Total | 225 | 30 | 25 | 06 |
With ongoing operations to clear encroachments, the state government has made it clear that it will not tolerate unauthorised structures, especially in sensitive border regions. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with land laws and curb potential security risks in these areas.