Saharanpur Demolishes Mosque on Court Order; SP MP Detained
Saharanpur authorities demolished a mosque inside the Collectorate complex on a court order. SP MP Iqra Hasan was detained while trying to visit the site.
Local authorities in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, demolished a mosque located within the District Magistrate's office complex on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The operation was carried out in the presence of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the City Magistrate, with a heavy police deployment securing the area.
The action followed an order from the Court of the City Magistrate, which had declared the structure illegal last month. Officials stated the demolition was conducted in compliance with this judicial directive.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) Lok Sabha MP from Kairana, Iqra Hasan, was prevented from reaching the site. According to the MP, a large police force arrived at her residence as she was preparing to travel to Saharanpur and placed her under house arrest.
The SP has condemned the move, with senior party leader and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari alleging that the BJP is attempting to "stoke unrest in the State along communal lines before the 2027 Assembly polls." Ansari argued that preventing a public representative from visiting the spot is an "undemocratic step" and a violation of constitutional rights.
Security forces have been deployed across various locations in Saharanpur following the demolition to maintain order.