Saharanpur, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : Tensions have escalated in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, following the display of controversial posters referencing the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. These posters appeared amidst rising concerns over the demolition of an old mosque within the Saharanpur collectorate complex.
Featuring a picture of Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, the posters bore the message, “We did not forget, we do not forget, we will not forget – December 7, Muzaffarnagar.” In response to their appearance, local police swiftly removed the posters from public view.
Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for putting up the posters. They are reviewing footage from nearby CCTV cameras and examining other available evidence as part of the inquiry.
Congress MP Imran Masood condemned the action during a conversation, demanding strict action against those accountable. He emphasized the need to prevent any attempts to disrupt communal harmony. “Those who put up these posters must face severe consequences. Some individuals aim to create discord, but we will not allow that to happen. We want to maintain the identity of our city. This is a city of love, not hate,” he stated.
The emergence of these posters has intensified the controversy surrounding the mosque’s demolition. Opposition parties have accused the ruling BJP-led state government of promoting communal politics and targeting a specific community ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
The demolition followed a legal dispute regarding the land on which the mosque was built. Vikas Tyagi, the regional convenor of Bajrang Dal, filed a petition in the city magistrate’s court claiming the structure was illegally constructed on government land.
On July 16, 2026, the city magistrate’s court declared the construction illegal, ordering its demolition along with a compensation payment exceeding 6.41 crore. Following this, the Muslim community challenged the court’s decision in the district court. However, on September 2, the district judge dismissed their petition, upholding the administrative order.
After the court’s ruling, the administration, backed by a heavy police presence, demolished the structure on the morning of September 5, 2026.
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