Mathura: The city of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, recently saw the demolition of over 90 houses, with the authorities alleging that the building had encroached upon public land. The bulldozer action occurred in Nai Basti, situated merely 600 metres from the spot claimed by some to be the Hindu god Krishna’s birthplace.Nai Basti is a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood.When The Wire spoke to local residents regarding this incident, they indicated that the railway administration was responsible. Many of those affected have alleged that the government intentionally used bulldozers to destroy their homes, in an attempt to displace them.The residents of Nai Basti say that thought they and their families have lived in this area for more than a century, they received notices declaring their homes to be ‘encroachments’ a few months ago.The demolition of homes by the railway administration has profoundly disrupted their lives. Some families continue to live out in the open.The majority of individuals residing in Nai Basti are engaged in manual labour. Currently, as a consequence of the ongoing demolitions, their work has come to a halt, leaving them without the daily income that they need to survive.Sohni is living in the open with her family due to the demolition of her house.Remains of demolished houses.Shahrukh, who lives in Nai Basti, collects belongings from the houses demolished by the bulldozer.Nai Basti after the demolition.This is all that remains in Nai Basti.A broken house in Nai Basti.A woman sitting at her destroyed house.Muslims in Nai Basti have alleged that their houses were demolished just because they qre Muslims.Families are living under plastic and paper roofs with their children due to house demolitions.People fill bricks and stones from the broken homes into tractors. All photos by Atul Ashok Howale.
