Disturbed Areas Act Debate Intensifies After Fresh Allegations from Surat MLA

Surat | Gujarat — A fresh political controversy has erupted in Gujarat after BJP MLA Sangeeta Patil raised serious allegations in the state Assembly, claiming that many Hindu families in Surat’s Limbayat area are being forced to sell their homes at low prices or abandon them due to harassment by anti-social elements — despite the Disturbed Areas Act being in force.

Speaking during a discussion on the Ashant Dhara amendment bill, Patil said the issue was not isolated but a growing pattern affecting thousands of residents. “I am placing before this House the pain and fear of people from my constituency who say they no longer feel safe in their own homes,” she said.

Claims of forced migration and fear

According to the MLA, the Limbayat area once housed between 8,000 and 10,000 Telugu families living peacefully. Over time, however, she alleged that continuous harassment forced many to relocate.

“Families are mentally tortured to such an extent that they sell their properties cheaply or shift to rented homes elsewhere,” Patil said, calling the situation “deeply worrying.”

She further claimed that in several housing societies only a handful of Hindu families remain. “In some societies, only one or two families are left, and even they live under fear or have locked their homes and moved away,” she told the Assembly.

Allegations of harassment over food habits

Patil also alleged that disputes linked to food habits were being used as a means of intimidation. She claimed that in certain neighbourhoods, meat waste is deliberately thrown near homes of vegetarian families to create discomfort and pressure.

“The intention behind such acts is to mentally break families and force them to leave,” she said.

Concerns in government housing schemes

The MLA said complaints had also emerged from beneficiaries of government housing schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Chief Minister Housing Scheme.

“These schemes are meant to uplift the poor, but families have reported harassment that pushes them to vacate homes even after allotment,” she claimed.

Alleged property-grab strategy

Patil alleged that some anti-social groups were working in a systematic manner to acquire properties. According to her, the pattern involves purchasing one house, constructing multi-storey buildings illegally and then pressuring neighbouring families to sell their properties.

“This is not random — it appears to be a planned attempt to take over entire localities,” she said.

She named several societies — Maruti Nagar, Padmavati Nagar, Govind Nagar, Buddha Society, Ambika Nagar and Amba Nagar — claiming their demographic composition had drastically changed over time.

Demand for stricter property transfer rules

During the debate, Patil called for clearer provisions in the Ashant Dhara law, particularly for property transactions. She urged that Hindu families seeking to sell property to other Hindus should receive quick approvals, while stricter scrutiny should apply in inter-community sales.

“The objective is to maintain social balance and ensure that families can move to safer places without delay,” she said.

She welcomed the proposal for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine property transfers and insisted that Collector approval be mandatory to ensure sales are not conducted under pressure.

Political and social implications

The issue adds to an ongoing debate around demographic changes and the purpose of the Disturbed Areas Act, which aims to prevent distress property sales and maintain social harmony.

“As public representatives, it is our duty to give voice to people’s suffering,” Patil said. “I hope the new law ensures justice and protects ordinary citizens.”