Gujarat’s Disturbed Areas Act pushes Muslims into ghettos, reveals News Laundry report
Vadodara: A ground report published by News Laundry, authored by journalist Basant Kumar, has brought to light the grave challenges faced by Muslims in Gujarat in acquiring property due to the controversial Disturbed Areas Act. The report highlights how this law, coupled with active local opposition, has led to the effective ghettoisation of Muslim communities across several cities in the state.
The story focuses on a specific case from Vadodara, where a Muslim resident named Onali has been engaged in a prolonged legal battle to gain possession of land he purchased in 2016 in the Champaner Darwaza area of Fatehpura. Despite acquiring the land legally, Onali was denied permission by the Deputy Collector’s office to transfer ownership under the provisions of the Disturbed Areas Act. The rejection came after the Assistant Police Commissioner recommended against granting the transfer.
Facing bureaucratic dead ends, Onali finally moved the Gujarat High Court, which ruled in his favour in 2019. However, as of June 2025, he has still not been able to take possession of the property. The delay, he alleges, is due to strong local Hindu opposition, including from BJP leaders and former corporators, who fear that an increase in the Muslim population in the area would eventually drive Hindus away.
Adding to the obstruction, two witnesses to the land sale, a Muslim shopkeeper named Farhan and another man, Keshav Rana, later claimed in court that they were misled into signing the documents. The High Court reprimanded both witnesses and fined them Rs 25,000 each, holding them accountable for attempting to sabotage the legal process under pressure from local Hindu groups.
According to the News Laundry report, such incidents are not isolated. Dozens of similar cases are currently pending in courts across Gujarat. The report critically examines the history, intent, and misuse of the Disturbed Areas Act, pointing out how the legislation has been used by successive BJP governments to restrict property transactions and movement of Muslim citizens, often citing communal balance as justification.
The law, originally introduced to prevent forced migration and illegal sale of properties during communal disturbances, has allegedly evolved into a tool of discrimination. The result, says the report, is the increasing ghettoisation of Muslim populations in Gujarat, further alienating them from urban integration and equal opportunities.
This report is based on a ground investigation published by News Laundry on July 3, 2025. Full credit to journalist Basant Kumar for the original reporting.
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
