UP: Gram Pradhan Qaiser Ansari grabbed temple land for graveyard, Hindus installed posters to sell their houses

In the Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh, a case of unlawful occupation of a temple and an abandoned building’s land has surfaced. According to local residents, the village head, Qaiser Ansari, is attempting to construct a graveyard in its place. Allegedly, Mauchandrapur village is predominantly Muslim. Qaiser Ansari, along with members of his community, is said to have erected a boundary wall for the graveyard on the land belonging to the Raisati temple and Gram Sabha.

Furthermore, the accused village head is reportedly causing distress to Hindu families with local Muslims in the village. Disturbed residents have made arrangements to leave if no action is taken, and posters regarding this issue have been displayed in the village. In response, the villagers, along with Hindu organisations, have lodged complaints with the regional MLA and cabinet minister of the Yogi government, Dharampal Singh. Subsequently, the police administration has initiated measures in this regard.

In addition to encroachments on government lands, a similar case has emerged in Mau Chandrapur village, falling under the jurisdiction of Amla police station in Bareilly. Arun Fauji, the District President of Hindu Jagran Manch, and the Braj region have reported the matter to the administration through a tweet, urging for action.

The complaint alleges that Qaiser Ansari, the head of Mauchandpur village, forcibly seized the land belonging to the Raisati temple and the village community, in collaboration with members of the Muslim community. Despite resistance from the Hindu community, a boundary has been erected on the land.

In the complaint letter submitted to the minister, the aggrieved Hindu side claims that Pradhan Qaiser Ansari has constructed a 6-7 feet high wall on the temple land where they used to organize Jagran programs. The accountant is also implicated with the village head. Villagers state that a complaint was lodged with the tehsil officers, but no action was taken. As per his instructions, Inspector Amla has been tasked with taking action against the officers.

There is a growing outcry among Hindu organisations in Mauchandpur village over the scheme to establish a graveyard by occupying the land of the Raisati temple and village community. Arun Fauji, the District President of Hindu Jagran Manch, stated that he intends to meet with the DM and SSP, along with the villagers, to demand action. Meanwhile, Amla BJP District President Adesh Pratap Singh asserts that the matter is grave, and he is in discussions with officers to address it.