A significant anti-encroachment drive in Uttar Pradesh has led to the removal of over 280 illegal religious sites, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. The crackdown focused on unauthorized religious structures and illegal encroachments, particularly in districts bordering Nepal.
The campaign, spearheaded by the Yogi Adityanath government, has intensified in recent weeks, targeting madrasas, mosques, mazaars (shrines), and Eidgahs built without permission or in violation of regulatory standards. The operation is being carried out by coordinated efforts of district administrations, local police, and central forces like the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
According to the statement, authorities have taken action against 225 illegal madrasas, 30 mosques, 25 mazaars, and six eidgahs located within a 10 km radius of the Indo-Nepal border. On Wednesday alone, demolition was carried out at two sites in Maharajganj and one site each in Shravasti and Bahraich.
In Maharajganj, two illegal madrasas, one in Semrahani village (Farenda tehsil) and another in Jugouli village (Nautanwa tehsil), were demolished. Meanwhile, in Shravasti, an unauthorized madrasa constructed on government land in Kaleempurwa (Bhinga tehsil) was razed. Authorities in Bahraich also removed a mazaar that had illegally occupied forest land. Furthermore, in Maharajganj's Parsamalik village, an unrecognised madrasa on Maktab land was shut down and its keys were handed over to the local police. To date, 29 madrasas and five mazars have been demolished in the district.
Similar actions have been reported across other districts. In Shravasti, officials identified 104 madrasas, one mosque, five mazars and two Eidgahs built illegally on public and private land. All were issued notices and sealed. One madrasa on public land was demolished, and two unrecognised ones on private land were sealed. In Bahraich, 13 madrasas, eight mosques, two mazars and one Eidgah were flagged. Five structures were sealed, while 11 comprising eight madrasas, two mosques and one mazar were demolished. Siddharthnagar authorities took action against 23 illegal constructions after identifying 18 madrasas, four mosques and one more madrasa. Five madrasas were sealed and nine were demolished. In Balrampur, 30 madrasas, 10 mazars and one Eidgah have been demolished. Pilibhit officials have issued notice for a mosque on 0.0310 hectares of public land, pending response.
The Yogi Adityanath government has clarified that any illegal encroachment or operation of religious or educational institutions within a 10 km radius of the Nepal border will not be permitted. The administration has been directed to remove identified encroachments promptly and ensure continuous monitoring. According to officials, the drive targets unauthorized constructions and religious institutions and focuses on areas within a 10-15 km radius of the border.
The crackdown has caused significant disruption among operators of unregistered institutions. According to District Minority Welfare Officer Neeraj Kumar Agrawal, a comprehensive verification of all madrasas in the region is underway.
