Eight Van Gujjar Families Evicted in Dehradun's Jaunsar-Bawar Amid Land Dispute
Eight Van Gujjar families have been evicted and their homes demolished in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun district, with notices served on about a dozen more, following complaints by members of Hindutva organisations alleging illegal land occupation.
Current Summary
Eight Van Gujjar families have been evicted from their homes in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun district, with their houses demolished, amid a campaign by Hindutva organisations against Muslim settlement in the area. Notices have also been served on around a dozen other Van Gujjar families, a small pastoral Muslim tribal community that says it has lived in the region for generations. The proceedings, initiated by revenue authorities under Section 211 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act in the Tyuni tehsil of the Chakrata subdivision, followed complaints from Manoj Bijalwan, president of the Rudra Sena organisation, and Rakesh Tomar Uttarakhandi, both associated with Hindutva groups, alleging illegal occupation of land. Community representatives allege members of Hindutva organisations have intimidated and physically assaulted them and pressured local lawyers not to represent them in proceedings before the authorities. With the Uttarakhand Assembly elections approaching, the developments have revived concerns among the community over campaigns centred on alleged demographic change and the presence of Muslims in the hill state, echoing narratives that were prominent ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.
What We Know
- Eight Van Gujjar families have been evicted and their homes demolished in the Tyuni tehsil of Dehradun district's Chakrata subdivision.
- Notices have also been served on around a dozen other Van Gujjar families in the area.
- Revenue authorities initiated proceedings under Section 211 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act following complaints by Manoj Bijalwan, president of Rudra Sena, and Rakesh Tomar Uttarakhandi, both linked to Hindutva organisations.
- Community representatives allege members of Hindutva organisations have intimidated and physically assaulted them, and pressured local lawyers not to represent them.
- The developments come amid a wider campaign by Hindutva organisations against Muslim settlement in the area, with concerns raised ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact date the evictions and demolitions occurred.
- Any official response from the Dehradun district administration or police on the allegations of intimidation.
- The legal status of the Van Gujjars' land claims and whether any court appeal is planned.
What Changed
- 26 Oct, 01:12 pmSignal detected: Eight Van Gujjar Families Evicted in Dehradun's Jaunsar-Bawar Amid Land Dispute
Background
Van Gujjars are a pastoral Muslim tribal community in the Jaunsar-Bawar region who say they have lived there for generations. Similar demographic-change narratives were prominent ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.