Gehlot questions Shah’s intention to demolish Muslim religious sites along the Rajasthan border

Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. File Image | Photo credit: PTI

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot labeled the demolition of Muslim religious sites in Rajasthan’s border areas bordering Pakistan after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Bikaner in May saying the demolitions appeared to be motivated solely to create “political polarization and disrupt the social fabric”.

Also read | Demolish illegal structures within 15 km of border with Pakistan: Amit Shah in Rajasthan

In a social media post that tagged Mr Shah, Mr Gehlot said “the government has started identifying and demolishing religious places belonging to the Muslim community in the border areas of Rajasthan adjoining Pakistan on the pretext of clearing encroachments”. He claimed that as part of the ongoing drive, “decade-old historic religious sites are also being targeted”.

“This action, carried out in a peaceful border region and targeting one religion in particular, seems to be motivated solely to create political polarization and disrupt the social fabric. This malicious action has created intense anger among the local population. This sensitive and disturbing act deserves strong condemnation,” Mr Gehlot said, questioning the motive behind the reported demolitions.

He demanded an immediate halt to the demolition. “The Ministry of Home Affairs should clarify its stand on the matter as maintaining peace, harmony and security in the border areas is also its constitutional responsibility,” he said.

The Congress President emphasized that the border regions, despite their diversity, were historically free of communal strife. “Despite the presence of a diverse religious population in these sensitive areas along the India-Pakistan border, there has never been any social tension in their history,” he said, adding that the places of worship “are interconnected and enjoy deep respect among all sections of society”. “The loud opposition of local Hindus to this unilateral administrative action is itself a unique example of the deep communal harmony that exists here,” Mr. Gehlot said.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 22:54 IST