Amnesty International has analysed the punitive demolitions of 128 properties in the states of Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh following episodes of communal violence and protests between April and June 2022.
The targeted demolitions were instigated by senior political leaders and government officials and impacted at least 617 people.
Almost two years later, Muslim families and business owners in the five states await compensation for losing their homes, businesses and places of worship. The Indian government’s de-facto policy of punitively demolishing Muslim properties for protesting discriminatory laws and practices, is an ongoing phenomenon. This amounts to forced eviction and collective and arbitrary punishment under international law and must be immediately investigated.