A Tuglaq's Tale: Bulldozing Interfaith Harmony in Moradabad

In the annals of Uttar Pradesh's modern-day history, Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi stands as a contemporary Tuglaq, wielding his bulldozer with the same fervor that Muhammad bin Tughlaq used to impose his whimsical and often disastrous policies. The latest spectacle in Moradabad, where six houses belonging to Muslim families were demolished, serves as a grim reminder of the unchecked power and capriciousness of the state's leadership.

The Incident: Love, Allegations, and the Wrath of the Bulldozer

The saga began with a 20-year-old woman caught in the throes of an interfaith relationship—a love story that swiftly turned into a tale of terror and demolition. According to reports, the woman's family alleged that members of a Muslim family barged into their home on June 26 in a bid to abduct their daughter. This allegation set the stage for the Moradabad Development Authority (MDA) to unleash their bulldozers on six houses belonging to the accused families.

The woman and the main suspect had married in May 2023, much to the chagrin of her family. In a twist reminiscent of a Bollywood drama, she was then married off to another man in June 2023, despite maintaining contact with her original husband. This tangled web of relationships led to the woman being forcibly brought back from Rajasthan by the Sambhal Police after she had eloped with her Muslim partner.

The Woman's Statements: A Flip-Flop Affair

In a Kafkaesque turn of events, the woman's initial statement to the police claimed that she had willingly gone with the man, declaring herself an adult making her own choices. However, her subsequent statement to the magistrate painted a different picture, alleging forced conversion and coercion. This narrative shift paved the way for the dramatic escalation that followed.

The Alleged Attack and Its Aftermath

On June 26, the woman’s family claimed that the man and his relatives stormed their house, resulting in a violent confrontation that left her father, mother, and brother injured. The main accused, identified as Muslim Hussain, along with six others, were named in an FIR. The authorities responded with the usual fanfare: suspensions of local police officers for negligence, adding a veneer of accountability to the unfolding drama.

Bulldozer Justice: The Ultimate Solution?

In true Tuglaq fashion, the state machinery deemed it appropriate to demolish the houses of the accused, citing encroachment on common village land. The locals, however, contested this claim, arguing that only a minor area was encroached upon. Yet, in a display of brute power, the bulldozers rolled on, leaving a trail of rubble and fear.

The repercussions of this act of 'justice' were immediate and severe. The local Muslim community, already living under a cloud of suspicion and fear, saw 5% of their population flee their homes. The once-peaceful village atmosphere was irrevocably shattered, much like the buildings that fell to the bulldozers.

A Stark Reminder of Power Misuse

This incident is a stark reminder of how those in power can misuse their authority, turning personal and community disputes into opportunities for public spectacle and fear-mongering. The bulldozers of Adityanath's government, much like Tuglaq's misguided reforms, serve as instruments of terror, razing not just homes but the very fabric of communal harmony.

In conclusion, the tale of Moradabad's interfaith relationship turned demolition derby is a chilling example of how state power, when wielded without restraint or compassion, can devastate lives and communities. As the dust settles over the ruins, one can only hope that sanity and justice will one day prevail over the capricious whims of those in power.