Lucknow: The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has initiated a crackdown against illegal madrasas and unauthorized mosques across the state. This campaign is being carried out on a large scale, especially in districts near the Nepal border. A joint operation by the police and revenue departments has been launched to identify and take action against these illegal religious structures. The drive has begun under the direct orders of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

According to an official government statement, five illegal madrasas were sealed on Thursday in Shravasti district, bringing the total number of sealed madrasas there to 41. In Bhinda taluka, two mosques built on government land in the villages of Bhartha and Roshan were demolished. Authorities have reclaimed 139 encroachments in the district. In Balrampur, notices were issued to the builders of eight madrasas and three unauthorized shrines (mazars). In Bahraich, eight encroachments were removed on Wednesday and Thursday, increasing the total number of illegal structures removed in the district to 133.

In Siddharthnagar district, action was taken against a total of 17 illegal religious sites, including three unauthorized mosques and 14 unregistered madrasas. The state government has reported a rise in illegal land occupation along the Nepal border, particularly in the Maharajganj district, where several mosques, madrasas, and shrines were allegedly constructed on government land. In response, the state launched a targeted operation. The India-Nepal border in this area stretches for 84 kilometers, and stricter measures are being implemented, especially in locations within 15 kilometers of the border where most illegal madrasas are situated.