Kairana MP Iqra Hasan House Arrested Amid Saharanpur Mosque Demolition Row

In a significant political and administrative development in Western Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament from Kairana, Iqra Hasan, has been placed under house arrest by the local police. The action was taken late at night to prevent the MP from traveling to Saharanpur, where tensions have escalated following a demolition action on a mosque located within the Collectorate premises, while a heavy contingent of police personnel has been stationed outside her residence in Shamli to ensure she doesn't leave the premises, effectively halting her planned visit to the site of the controversy.

The Saharanpur Collectorate Mosque Dispute

The situation in Saharanpur turned volatile on Saturday morning when the administration initiated a bulldozer action on a portion of the mosque situated inside the Collectorate complex. The roots of this dispute trace back to last month when the City Magistrate declared the mosque structure illegal and issued formal orders for its demolition. In response to this administrative order, the Muslim side sought legal intervention by approaching the District and Sessions Court (DJ Court). While the DJ Court had initially granted a stay on the City Magistrate's order, providing temporary relief to the community, the legal standing changed on Friday. The DJ Court dismissed the claims filed by the Muslim side, thereby clearing the legal hurdles for the administration to proceed with the demolition.

Administrative Action and Security Measures

Following the court's dismissal of the stay, the administration moved swiftly. On Saturday morning, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the City Magistrate, accompanied by a large police force, arrived at the Collectorate premises to execute the orders. The mosque was sealed, and demolition activities were carried out on the identified illegal portions. To prevent any untoward incidents or public gatherings, the administration converted the Collectorate complex into a virtual fortress, while all entry gates to the Collectorate were closed, and movement in the area was strictly restricted. Senior officials, including the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and the Superintendent of Police (SP) City, remained on-site to monitor the situation directly.

Deployment of Paramilitary and Police Forces

Recognizing the sensitivity of the matter, the authorities have deployed not only the local police but also the Provincial Armed Reserve (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RRF). These specialized units are stationed at strategic points across Saharanpur and along the routes leading to the district headquarters. The administration has emphasized that maintaining peace and law and order is their highest priority. Consequently, all roads leading to the district headquarters are being heavily patrolled, and a state of high alert has been declared in Saharanpur and the surrounding regions.

Political Reactions and Opposition Surveillance

The house arrest of Iqra Hasan has further intensified the political atmosphere in Western Uttar Pradesh. Before her arrest, Congress MP Imran Masood had also raised concerns regarding the administrative action on the mosque. The police are reportedly keeping a close watch on other opposition leaders to prevent any large-scale mobilization or protests. Iqra Hasan had intended to visit the site to assess the situation firsthand and meet with the local community, but the police intervention has restricted her to her home, while the administration maintains that these precautionary measures are necessary to prevent any disruption of public order during the sensitive demolition process.