UP Government Cracks Down on Illegal Madrasas and Religious Structures Along Indo-Nepal Border
Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh — May 3, 2025: In a sweeping campaign to enforce law and order, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an aggressive drive to dismantle illegal madrasas, mosques, and other unauthorized religious structures situated along the sensitive Indo-Nepal border. Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, joint teams of the Revenue and Police departments have intensified ground-level inspections and demolitions across key districts.
The administration cites national security, legal compliance, and public order as the core reasons behind the operation, which has already seen hundreds of structures sealed or demolished across multiple districts.
Zero Tolerance: CM Yogi’s Directive Fuels Crackdown
The state’s approach aligns with its zero-tolerance policy on illegal encroachments, especially in strategically important areas. Officials confirmed that religious structures built on government land or madrasas operating without official recognition or approved curricula are being swiftly dealt with.
“This campaign is aimed at ensuring that all religious and educational institutions abide by the law. No unauthorized construction on government land will be tolerated,” said a senior administrative official.
Key Actions by District
Shravasti District:
- 5 madrasas sealed on Thursday, bringing the total to 41 closures in the area.
- Villages like Bhartha and Roshan Garh (Bhinga tehsil) witnessed the demolition of mosques built without permits on state-owned land.
- 139 illegal encroachments have been acted upon so far, with several more under review.
Balrampur District:
- 8 madrasas served notices; 3 illegal structures at shrines removed.
- One unauthorized Eidgah is under legal scrutiny.
- 20 madrasas found in violation of educational norms have been shut down.
- 2 institutions failed to meet documentation deadlines and were served fresh notices.
Pilibhit District:
- Raids and notices were served to unrecognized madrasas and religious encroachments.
- Action follows multiple complaints and satellite mapping of illegal constructions.
Bahraich District:
- 8 encroachments removed in the Nanpara and Mihipurwa tehsils over two days.
- Total of 135 illegal structures demolished, with voluntary removals reported in three cases.
Siddharthnagar District:
- Authorities acted against 17 illegal religious structures, including 3 mosques and 14 madrasas that were operating without state registration.
Legal Procedure and Community Engagement
Authorities emphasized that due process is being followed in every action. Most demolitions are preceded by notices and hearings, while some structures were voluntarily taken down by community members.
Local police are also collecting detailed records from all operational madrasas near the India-Nepal border, ensuring that each complies with curriculum standards and registration norms as mandated under Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board guidelines.
Strategic Implications of the Indo-Nepal Focus
The focus on the Indo-Nepal border region highlights the government’s intent to secure critical frontier zones from unregulated institutional expansion. The border has historically been sensitive due to cross-border smuggling and infiltration risks, making unauthorized religious and educational institutions a potential security concern.