Propagandists are sharing a video of a religious structure’s demolition in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, falsely claiming it targets a minority community. In reality, the demolition is part of a lawful land acquisition process. The government has paid Rs 33 crore of the Rs 66 crore compensation to evicted occupants. Over 250 structures, including the religious site, are being removed after completing legal formalities. Structures with court stay orders remain untouched. This action is not community-specific but a development initiative following due process. The claims of religious persecution are baseless and misleading, aimed at inciting unnecessary controversy.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propaganda account @QueenBangla wrote, “BJP government has demolished 257 Muslim houses and shops in Ujjain. Muslims are being made homeless this winter. #SaveIndianMuslims”. (Translated from Bengali).
উজ্জয়িনে বিজেপি সরকার মুসলিমদের ২৫৭টি বাড়ি এবং দোকান গুড়িয়ে দিয়েছে। এই শীতকালে মুসলিমদের জানবোজাহবে বাসহারা করা হচ্ছে।#SaveIndianMuslims pic.twitter.com/8lFU8x2WRw
— কুইন অফ বাংলাদেশ (@QueenBangla) January 13, 2025
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also shared the visuals and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Lallanpost, @it_sceptic, @Sultanajedni.
The truth behind the claims about Ujjain eviction drive, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the incident. We found that the claims about Muslims being targeted were false and fabricated.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found a report regarding the demolition drive in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. According to the report, the demolition is part of a lawful land acquisition process. The government has already disbursed Rs 33 crore out of the total of Rs 66 crore in compensation to occupants who were evicted from the area. Over 250 permanent structures, including the religious site in question, are being removed as the land acquisition process has been completed, with payments made to residents.
Notably, structures whose owners or occupants have obtained a court stay order will remain untouched. This action is not targeted at any specific community but is part of a broader development initiative carried out in accordance with legal procedures.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about religious persecution of the Muslim community were false and self-invented.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 13, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video depicting a religious structure being demolished that has been shared and portrayed as religious persecution of the minority community in Ujjain,MP. According to reports, the government had paid Rs 33 crore, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/ShOHN79ttb
Intent
Propagandists are circulating videos from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh without providing the actual context to set their narrative.
Conclusion
Claim– The BJP government has demolished 257 Muslim houses and shops in Ujjain due to religious discrimination.
Fact– The demolition is part of a lawful land acquisition process. The government has paid Rs 33 crore of the Rs 66 crore compensation to evicted occupants. Nothing to do with religious persecution.
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