The demolition of journalist Arfaz Ahmed Daing’s house in Jammu’s Narwal area is far more than an administrative action; it is a troubling reflection of a system increasingly accused of wielding its authority selectively. The manner in which the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) carried out the operation — sudden, forceful, and without visible procedural fairness — has raised serious concerns about transparency, justice, and the health of democratic values.
Arfaz and his family, who had lived in the demolished house for nearly four decades, claim they were given no notice, no time to respond, and no opportunity to remove their belongings. If true, this represents a grave humanitarian lapse. Evicting and rendering a family shelterless in the peak of winter, without offering alternative arrangements, violates the most basic principles of governance and human dignity.
But the larger question is this: why is the might of the administration almost always seen falling on ordinary citizens while the influential walk free? Jammu residents are well aware of large-scale encroachments by powerful individuals — businessmen, politicians, and land mafias — yet such cases rarely witness the kind of urgency and aggression displayed in Arfaz’s demolition. There is a growing perception that laws are being used not as instruments of justice, but as tools of intimidation targeted at the voiceless and at those who refuse to toe the line.
Arfaz Daing has been known for reporting fearlessly on issues affecting poor and marginalised families — including earlier demolition drives by JDA and the municipal authorities. The suspicion that he is being punished for his journalism may not be proven yet, but the circumstances undeniably point towards a troubling pattern: when a journalist challenges the powerful, he becomes the target. If administrative machinery begins to act in ways that silence dissent, then the very foundation of a democratic society begins to crack.
What makes the situation worse is the silence of the government leadership. When a journalist’s home is demolished without due process, when public anger escalates, and when citizens question the fairness of the system, a responsible government is expected to speak. The absence of a statement from the Chief Minister raises uncomfortable questions. Silence, in such circumstances, risks being interpreted as complicity.
This incident demands more than routine explanations. It requires an impartial investigation, accountability for any procedural violations, and immediate support for the displaced family. If JDA truly believes in fairness, it must show the same zeal in acting against influential encroachers as it did in demolishing Arfaz’s house. Selective enforcement of law destroys public trust and fuels the belief that justice in this region is not blind — it sees status, power, and influence all too clearly.
Democracy thrives when institutions act without fear or favour. But when authority becomes arbitrary and punishment becomes selective, democracy withers. The demolition of Arfaz Ahmed Daing’s home is not merely a local incident — it is a warning. If not addressed with honesty and fairness, it will deepen the gap between people and institutions, erode trust, and leave a chilling message for journalists and ordinary citizens alike: speak the truth, and you may be next.DD
