A large-scale demolition drive by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the Chandola Talab area of Gujarat’s capital has left thousands of families, predominantly Muslim, homeless. The operation, which targeted approximately 7,000 properties, has sparked widespread outrage, with Muslim organizations and local leaders condemning the action as “inhumane” and discriminatory.
The demolition resumed on Tuesday following a Gujarat High Court ruling on April 29, which upheld the state’s authority to clear what it deemed illegal constructions on government-owned land around Chandola Lake. On April 28, over 4,000 shanties in Siyasatnagar and Bengali Vaas were razed, displacing thousands. The latest phase of the drive has further intensified the crisis, with families scrambling to salvage their belongings amidst the rubble.
“This is not just about removing encroachments; it’s a targeted attack to harass and displace Muslims,” said Nafees, a local community leader, in a statement to Maktoob Media. He criticized the government for failing to provide rehabilitation or alternative housing arrangements, leaving families stranded in extreme heat. “These are Indian citizens with voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and ration cards, yet they’re being treated as outsiders,” added Wasif Hussain, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Gujarat.
Muslim bodies across the state have decried the demolitions, pointing to the lack of compassion for vulnerable groups, including elderly women and children. “This bulldozer-driven government has shown no regard for where these families will go,” Hussain stated, highlighting the absence of resettlement plans.
Social media platforms claimed that 6,300 to 6,700 of the demolished homes were Muslim-owned, labeling the action as “communal targeting” and noting the lack of compensation.
Another post suggested a connection to recent events, alleging the demolitions were justified by labeling residents as “Bangladeshi” following a terror attack in Pahalgam.
The AMC and state authorities have defended the demolitions, citing the need to reclaim public land and restore the water body. However, critics argue the operation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and raises questions about the state’s priorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, given Gujarat’s significance as his political stronghold.
As the dust settles in Chandola Talab, the displaced families face an uncertain future, with no immediate relief in sight. The controversy has reignited debates over urban development, religious discrimination, and human rights in Gujarat.
