Sambhal, June 7 -- Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Sunday alleged a "disturbing trend" of religious sites being targeted in Uttar Pradesh and said the demolition of a "nearly 150-year-old structure" in Kaserua village of the Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh violated constitutional rights and the Places of Worship Act.

Barq's remarks came in the wake of police in Sambhal registering a case against eight members of a local committee after posters bearing "I Love Muhammad" and a flag resembling Pakistan's national flag were found during the demolition of an "illegally constructed structure" on cemetery land.

Addressing a press conference today, Barq said, "For the past few years, a disturbing trend has emerged where religious sit...