UN Experts Condemn Mass Demolitions in India as Human Rights Violations

The UN experts acknowledged that some Hindu families have been affected, but pointed out that Muslim communities in particular have been disproportionately targeted.

 

A group of United Nations independent human rights experts has issued a strong rebuke of India’s ongoing demolition drives that have displaced thousands of low-income families, religious minorities, and migrant communities. The experts have called on Indian authorities to immediately cease what they described as arbitrary and punitive demolitions, warning that these acts violate international human rights obligations and further marginalize already vulnerable populations.

Discriminatory Demolitions Deemed a Grave Rights Violation

“These are not mere development projects,” the experts stated. “Arbitrary demolitions carried out for purportedly punitive reasons are an aggravated form of human rights violation, and are especially egregious when they target or discriminate against minorities or marginalized communities.”

The experts emphasized that demolitions must never lead to homelessness. Any eviction must be followed by alternative housing arrangements, adequate notice, legal due process, and compensation for lost property. The right to shelter, they warned, is a core component of human dignity and security.

Despite existing legal frameworks, including the landmark Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind vs. Union of India ruling by the Indian Supreme Court—which affirms the right to procedural safeguards before demolitions—state-level authorities have continued to demolish homes with impunity, often in the name of anti-encroachment campaigns or vague security concerns.

“Bulldozer Justice” and Its Disproportionate Impact

The UN experts acknowledged that some Hindu families have been affected, but pointed out that Muslim communities in particular have been disproportionately targeted. These demolitions often follow episodes of religious unrest or protests, raising serious questions about selective punishment and political motives.

In many instances, government authorities have justified demolitions using allegations of illegal construction, national security concerns, or the presence of undocumented immigrants. Yet the experts criticized the lack of evidence-based investigations and the absence of fair legal proceedings prior to such actions.

“They are framed as urban development or anti-encroachment initiatives, but what’s happening on the ground looks very different,” said the experts. “Homes, businesses, and places of worship are being razed without due process or notice, displacing entire communities that have often lived in these areas for decades.”

Spotlight on Gujarat: Thousands Left Homeless

The most recent example of these demolitions occurred in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in the Chandola Lake and Siyasat Nagar areas. Between 29 April and 29 May 2025, more than 10,000 structures—including residences, shops, and religious buildings—were reportedly bulldozed by municipal authorities. Over 500 additional structures were razed in a separate wave of demolitions on 29 May, leaving thousands of residents homeless and exposed.

Eyewitness accounts and local reports indicate that families were given little to no advance notice, with many residents forced to gather belongings as heavy machinery arrived. Entire neighbourhoods were flattened, displacing working-class families, day labourers, street vendors, and children without any plan for relocation.

“These episodes not only deprive people of their homes and livelihoods, but they also sow deeper divisions in society, undermining trust in institutions and fuelling instability,” the experts said.

Legal Protections Ignored

The Supreme Court of India has previously ruled that no demolition may occur without following due process, including written notice, the opportunity to appeal, and access to legal remedies. Yet these standards are increasingly being overlooked.

In addition, international obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights—ratified by India—require governments to protect citizens from forced evictions and uphold the right to adequate housing.

The experts said that using national security or foreign nationality as justification for evictions is “deeply troubling” and sets a dangerous precedent, especially in diverse societies with longstanding communal and cultural ties.

A Call for Legal Reform and Human-Centered Urban Development

The UN experts have officially contacted the Indian government to express their concerns and urge compliance with human rights standards. They have called on India to align its urban development strategies with both domestic legal protections and global human rights frameworks.

Key recommendations include:

• Halting all demolition operations that do not comply with legal due process.

• Providing immediate humanitarian assistance, temporary shelter, and compensation to affected families.

• Conducting independent investigations into recent demolition drives.

• Adopting inclusive, consultative models for urban planning and slum redevelopment that ensure residents’ rights are protected.

“These actions must stop,” the UN experts concluded. “Urban development must never come at the cost of human rights. Housing is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right, and its denial is a denial of dignity.”