'No meaning to it, indulging in politics of appeasement': UP Dy CM as Cong, SP delegations to visit Saharanpur

Lucknow: With Congress and Samajwadi Party delegations visiting Saharanpur on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that there is no meaning to their actions and accused them of "indulging in the politics of appeasement".

Speaking to reporters, Pathak said: "There is no meaning to it. They are indulging in the politics of appeasement. Law and order in Uttar Pradesh will be further strengthened, and Uttar Pradesh will continue to move forward."

However, the Samajwadi Party said that the matter was not handled properly in court either, and sufficient time was not given to the people.

Speaking to IANS, Samajwadi Party MP Awdhesh Prasad said: "Now, in Saharanpur, a very old mosque was demolished. In this regard, the authorities had kept saying that nothing like this would happen. The matter was not handled properly in court either, and sufficient time was not given for people to approach the appellate court against the lower court’s order. The action was carried out in haste, which has hurt people’s sentiments. The 2027 election is near in Uttar Pradesh, and they know that there will be an impact of inflation, farmers’ issues, students’ concerns, and also the law and order situation."

The administration on Saturday demolished an illegal mosque located within the Collectorate complex in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after the Muslim side’s appeal was rejected by the court.

A large police force, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and City Magistrate, was deployed at the site before the administration began the demolition using a bulldozer.

Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan was scheduled to travel to Saharanpur on Saturday morning, but she was placed under house arrest before she could leave. A large police contingent was deployed outside her residence.

The dispute dates back to last month, when the City Magistrate reportedly declared the mosque located within the Collectorate complex illegal and ordered its demolition. The Muslim side subsequently challenged the order before the District and Sessions Court.

The court had initially granted a stay on the City Magistrate’s demolition order. However, on Friday, the District and Sessions Court reportedly rejected the Muslim side’s plea, following which the administration proceeded with the demolition on Saturday.

Following the action, the mosque gate was locked, and movement within the Collectorate premises was restricted as a security measure. Police personnel were deployed around the complex, and entry into the mosque premises was restricted.

The Collectorate complex was placed under heavy security, with police personnel deployed on roads leading to the district headquarters. Several senior officials, including the Additional District Force (ADF) and City Superintendent of Police, were present at the site.

Personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Reaction Force (RRF) were also deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

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