Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman has expressed deep concern over the eviction of Muslim families and the demolition of mosques in India’s Assam and Gujarat states, calling the incidents contrary to humanity, the rule of law and the values of a civilised society.

In a statement posted on his social media account on Saturday, Shafiqur said the Assam government demolished the homes of more than 600 Muslim families in the Lutumari–Longjap Reserved Forest Area in Nagaon district on Sunday.

The previous day, another 547 families were evicted across three districts of Assam, bringing the total number of families evicted within two days to more than 1,100, according to the statement.

Local residents also reported that 10 more mosques were demolished during the eviction drives, some of which were more than 50 years old, he said.

The statement also referred to a Gujarat High Court decision concerning the removal of a portion of the nearly 400-year-old Mancha Mosque in Ahmedabad, India, which paved the way for its demolition.

Earlier, in September 2024, several structures, including ancient mosques and graveyards, were demolished in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, the statement said.

Shafiqur said Muslim petitioners had approached the Supreme Court over the incident, but the court did not order a halt to the eviction drive. It did, however, seek the government’s response on the matter.

Expressing concern over the incidents, he said the Indian government was failing to protect the rights of Muslim minorities and was undermining their rights in various ways.

“Such incidents run counter to humanity, the rule of law, and the values of a civilized society,” he said, adding that such actions must be condemned regardless of where they take place or who is responsible.

Shafiqur also called on the people of Bangladesh not to allow anyone to exploit provocations to create religious divisions and social unrest in the country.

“We must not fall into anyone’s trap,” he said.

Emphasising the need to preserve social harmony in Bangladesh, he said it must be protected at all costs. He concluded the statement by praying to Almighty Allah for strength and guidance to ensure the situation remained peaceful.