Action against 130 illegal mosques and madarasas near Nepal border in UP

Gulf countries funding the said mosques and madarasas

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – The Yogi Adityanath Government in Uttar Pradesh has launched a drive against illegal religious structures in 7 Districts bordering Nepal. In the last 60 days, more than 298 illegal mosques, madarasas, tombs and Idgahs (open spaces reserved for namaz) were reported in the Districts of Shravasti, Balrampur, Bahraich, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Pilibhit and Lakhimpur Khiri. Out of these, 223 were issued notices, while 198 were sealed. 130 structures were razed to the ground. The said action is not only against illegal construction but also against the possibility of foreign funding, conversion and demographic shifts. The number of mosques and madarasas in these areas is increasing rapidly and suspicious funding and demographic shifts have become concerns for the security agencies.

🚨 UP’s Big Border Crackdown 🚨

Near Nepal border:
• 298+ illegal mosques/madrasas flagged in 7 dists

• 130 already demolished

• ₹150 Cr foreign funding traced (Gulf, TN)

Nepal’s Muslim population doubled in 20 yrs ⏳

Fears of a “Muslim belt” from 🇧🇩 → 🇵🇰 via border… pic.twitter.com/Nsif9YFy0a

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) August 8, 2025

1. Reports by the Income Tax Department and the Home Ministry have revealed that crores of rupees have been received from South India, especially Tamil Nadu, and Gulf countries for the construction of religious structures in the Nepal border areas. In a certain case, Rs 12 crore was found in the account of a person. The report mentions suspicious funds worth an estimated Rs 150 crore, which were used for the construction of mosques, madarasas, tombs and religious conversions.

2. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of mosques in these Districts increased from 738 to 1,000 and the number of madarasas from 500 to 645. In Nepal too, the Muslim population has doubled in 20 years. The border Districts of Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udhamsinghnagar in Uttarakhand are also facing the same threat. In view of all these movements, fears are being expressed that an attempt is being made to create a Muslim belt in the border areas, which could be part of a larger network extending from Bangladesh to Pakistan.

Editorial Perspective

It is good that the Government has taken action; but how can the illegal mosques and madarasas be constructed ? What are the Police and the administration doing ? It is necessary for the Government to pay attention to this.