Border Region Installations of Unauthorized Religious Buildings Face Tightened Up-Government Enforcement
Rolling out the Long Arm: Uttar Pradesh's Crusade Against Illegal Religious Structures
The UP government, spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has upped the ante with its relentless drive against illicit religious establishments and encroachments in areas along the Nepal border. The no-nonsense approach, visible as of May 2025, has targeted unauthorized madrasas, mosques, and other unlawful constructions.[2][4][5]
Taking a bold stance, the authorities have sealed over 44 madrasas for lack of recognition or violations of established guidelines.[3][4] Among these, 20 have been shuttered explicitly for flouting the curriculum.[4] Additionally, notices were served to numerous madrasas in Balrampur and others failing to submit required records,[4][5] signaling a hardline approach against non-compliance.
The offensive has also extended to mosques and shrines, with illegal structures on government land in Bhinga tehsil villages (e.g., Bhartha, Roshan Garh) getting knocked down.[4] In Balrampur, mazars (shrines) have been cleared, with five more under review.[4]
The bruising campaigns' focus isn't limited to the demolition of temporary and permanent encroachments within a 15-km radius of the Nepal border.[4] Sensitive areas linked to alleged demographic shifts have also been targeted.[5] To date, over 139 encroachments have been uprooted.
The clampdown on religious institutions follows claims of intelligence alerts, reported since 2020, and a 2022 UP Police report indicating a substantial increase in madrasas/mosques and a surge in the Muslim population in over 1,047 border villages, attributed to infiltration risks.[5] To remain compliant with the law, authorities insist the crackdown is restricted to the unregistered institutions among the 16,500 Madrasas recognized in the state.[5] Relevant updates are shared with the central government, ensuring their actions adhere to Home Ministry directives.[5]
- The general-news headlines have been abuzz with the Uttar Pradesh government's intolerance towards unauthorized encroachments and constructions, especially in the context of illegal religious structures along the border with Nepal, such as unrecognized madrasas, mosques, and shrines.
- The UP government's crusade against illegal religious structures includes a hardline approach against non-compliance, with over 44 madrasas sealed for lack of recognition or violations of established guidelines, and numerous others served notices for failing to submit required records.
- The no-nonsense approach can be seen in the demolition of illegal structures not just near the Nepal border, but also in sensitive areas linked to alleged demographic shifts, with approximately 139 encroachments uprooted so far.
