How a demolition spurred a wave of solidarity — and widened the fight over governance, media freedom and community trust in J&K
By: Javid Amin | 01 December 2025
The Demolition — From Anti-Encroachment Drive to Political Flashpoint
Late November 2025 witnessed a dramatic escalation in the ongoing tussle over land, authority and civil rights in Jammu. On 27–28 November, the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), supported by heavy police presence, razed the home of Arafaz Ahmad Daing — a journalist — in the Transport Nagar (Narwal) area. The house reportedly belonged to his father and, according to Daing, had stood for about 40 years.
Authorities justified the demolition as part of an ongoing anti-encroachment drive, claiming the structure was built on “state land.” But the family and neighbours say they were never served any prior notice — a fact that casts serious doubt on whether due process was followed.
Daing, who runs a digital news portal, alleged that his reporting on sensitive issues such as cross-border drug trafficking may have triggered retaliatory action. In his own words, shared with media, the demolition of a modest 3-marla home — in full view of bulldozers and 700–800 security personnel — pointed to a clearly targeted, heavy-handed exercise.
Political backlash was swift. The demolition revived long-standing tensions between the elected government and the Raj Bhawan-appointed bureaucracy. According to a senior official, there was no record of any prior move by the elected government to authorize this action.
The speed, scale and singularity of the operation — demolishing a small house while large tracts of JDA land allegedly under encroachment remain untouched — forced observers to ask: Was this really enforcement, or a selective message disguised as governance?
The Neighbour’s Gift — A Gesture of Compassion Challenging Polarisation
While the demolition triggered outrage and fear, it also revealed a heartening countercurrent of humanity and inter-faith solidarity. A day after the house was razed, local resident Kuldeep Kumar (also referred to as “Kuldeep Sharma” in some reports) emerged with a striking act of generosity: he offered the displaced journalist’s family a five-marla plot of land to rebuild their home.
In a public gesture — captured on video and widely circulated — Kumar handed over a gift deed to Daing in presence of his daughter, declaring: “We live in this country together … I will not let my brother remain homeless.”
He went a step further: pledging that if even this plot faces demolition, he would offer ten marlas, twenty marlas — as much as needed. “Communal harmony will never end,” he said, affirming that his decision was rooted not in politics or identity, but in humanity.
The gesture was met with widespread praise. For many, it put a human face on an otherwise grim and polarising episode — proving that in times of fear and uncertainty, compassion can transcend religion, identity, and political divides.
The Businessman’s ₹1 Cr Offer — A New Layer of Solidarity and Symbolism
In an unexpected twist that added yet another layer to the narrative, a Kashmiri businessman from Pampore reportedly came forward with a bold offer: he pledged to give a piece of his land valued at around ₹1 crore to Kuldeep Kumar — in recognition of the latter’s humanitarian gesture.
The businessman, whose identity remains undisclosed, said he was moved by Kumar’s generosity. “In a time when caste, creed, religion divide people, this man proved humanity still exists,” he told reporters.
His offer — even as news — sparked debate: Was this philanthropically driven? A symbolic protest against the heavy-handed demolition? Or a larger statement on civil society’s role in an increasingly polarised region? Regardless of motive, the offer has amplified the moral weight of the story — drawing public attention not only to the injustice done, but also to the power of solidarity and communal trust.
Governance Clash: Bulldozers, Bureaucracy & Democratic Credibility
This saga isn’t just about a demolished home or acts of kindness; it is a microcosm of a larger systemic struggle — between bureaucratic authority and democratic legitimacy in Jammu & Kashmir.
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The fact that the JDA and police carried out the demolition — without any visible mandate from the elected government — raises serious questions about who actually calls the shots in governance. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has demanded a formal probe, pointing out that JDA leadership and police deployment are controlled by the Raj Bhawan, not the elected government.
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According to the ruling party’s complaint, such unilateral action — especially executed without due process or notification — undermines not just public trust, but democratic accountability.
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The contrast is stark: a small, decades-old three-marla home razed overnight — while allegedly large encroachments on JDA land remain untouched. In the Assembly, the government has admitted that over 16,000 kanals of JDA land are under encroachment, yet selective demolition raises doubts about fairness, transparency and targeting.
In effect, the demolition has exposed the fragile balance — or perhaps the imbalance — between bureaucratic enforcement powers and democratic oversight in the Union Territory.
Press Freedom, Intimidation Fears & the Role of Journalists
That the demolished house belonged to a journalist significantly amplifies the stakes. For media practitioners — especially those reporting sensitive topics like cross-border crime, drugs, governance lapses — this demolition sends a chilling signal.
Daing claimed that he had previously faced police action for reporting on protests against earlier demolition drives. The razing of his home now — in broad daylight, without notice, under heavy security — reeks of intimidation. He himself said:
“They want to teach journalists and social activists a lesson… If you show the truth, this is what happens.”
For civil rights defenders, the move is not simply about real estate law or land rights — it is a direct attack on free speech, on dissent, and on the right of journalists to expose wrongdoing without fear.
Adding to the concern is the lack of transparency: no public list of encroachments, no prior notices, no equal treatment. When demolition becomes a tool not just for law enforcement — but for silencing voices — the sanctity of democratic discourse erodes.
Humanity Amid Hardship — Why These Acts of Kindness Matter
In a story heavy with power plays, political outrage, and institutional assaults — the gestures of a neighbour and a distant businessman stand out. They remind us that beyond governance disputes and ideological battles, there remains space for compassion, solidarity, and human dignity.
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The neighbour’s gift — spontaneous, generous, unconditional — demonstrates that people can choose empathy over apathy, humanity over suspicion.
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The businessman’s pledge — a land offer worth ₹1 cr — reframes the narrative: from one of demolition and displacement to one of solidarity, community support, and moral resistance.
Such acts can re-anchor public discourse — refocusing it on human rights, dignity, and shared belonging, rather than communal divisions or political vendettas.
As a local civil-society leader put it: “This is not about religion, or politics, or votes. This is about justice, compassion, and what kind of society we want to build.”
What the Probe Must Focus On — Beyond Headlines, Towards Accountability
To ensure that this episode does not fade into another news cycle — but leads to justice and systemic introspection — any investigation must be:
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Transparent — the chain of orders, permissions, and administrative directives must be made public.
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Comprehensive — not just looking at this one house, but all demolitions carried out recently; comparing which properties were razed, which were spared, and why.
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Inclusive — involving civil-society observers, journalists, community leaders, to ensure fairness and protect against bias or targeting.
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Protective of Rights — especially press freedom and minority rights; ensuring that reporting, dissent and journalistic enquiry are not criminalised or indirectly punished through property action.
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Supportive of the Displaced — immediate relief (land, housing, financial), and long-term safeguards to prevent similar incidents, especially for vulnerable families living in informal or contested settlements.
Only then can the promise of justice match the rhetoric of solidarity and human dignity.
Broader Implications — Jammu & Kashmir in Flux: Land, Liberty, and the Social Fabric
This incident — and the reactions it has triggered — is emblematic of larger, deeper challenges confronting Jammu & Kashmir today:
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The dual power structure (bureaucracy vs elected government) continues to breed ambiguity, distrust, and selective enforcement.
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Land rights, urban governance, informal settlements — long ignored or mismanaged — are resurfacing as critical flashpoints.
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Press freedom and civic activism remain under threat, especially in a volatile political environment where reporting on sensitive issues can invite reprisal beyond lawsuits or police action.
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Amid this, civil society and community solidarity — as shown by neighbours, individuals, even distant donors — are emerging as bulwarks of humanity, trust, and resilience.
If this is how civil society responds — with compassion, openness, and solidarity — perhaps there is hope for a more humane, inclusive, accountable J&K. But for that to happen, institutional reform, public accountability, and protective frameworks for rights must follow.
Conclusion — Bulldozers May Demolish Houses, But Hope Remains in Human Hands
The demolition of Arafaz Ahmad Daing’s house was more than an anti-encroachment drive — it was a moment of rupture, exposing the fault lines of power, governance, media freedom and social justice in Jammu & Kashmir.
Yet, amid rubble and political storm, two acts of generosity — the neighbour’s gift of land, and a Kashmiri businessman’s pledge of a ₹1 Cr plot — have illuminated a different path: one rooted in compassion, solidarity, dignity and shared humanity.
These gestures matter. They signal that even when institutions falter, communities — ordinary people — can step up. They remind us that in the fight for justice, humanity is often the most powerful currency.
If the probe is fair, transparent and just — and if the spirit behind these acts is allowed to translate into systemic reform — then perhaps this story will be remembered not for what was destroyed, but for what was built: trust, solidarity, and a reaffirmation of a plural, humane J&K.
