Bareilly: Tensions flared in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, as Hindutva activists staged protests against the sale of a house to a Muslim woman, Shabnam, criticizing both her and the seller, Vishal Saxena. The demonstrators, who are local residents, displayed their displeasure through noisy protests and threatening posters, signaling a divisive stance on community integration.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the unrest occurred in the Punjabpura neighborhood, where protestors raised slogans against Saxena for his decision to sell his property to a Muslim buyer. This incident has highlighted underlying communal tensions in the region, which is governed by the BJP.
Nasim Bashiri, Shabnam’s brother, noted that the family had a previous acquaintance with Saxena and were unaware of any objections from the community prior to the purchase. Bashiri expressed regret over the situation, stating that the family would have reconsidered their decision had they known about the potential backlash, underscoring their interest in maintaining communal harmony.
The protest reflects broader societal issues within Uttar Pradesh, where communal divides appear to be deepening, challenging the local ethos of coexistence. The incident has sparked a conversation about the rights of individuals to buy property irrespective of religious affiliation, with local Hindu leaders, like Arvind Srivastav, openly objecting to such transactions.