Lucknow, On the occasion of Minorities Rights Day, a Kashmiri vendor in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, reportedly faced abuse at the hands of the local police during an anti-encroachment drive. The incident, which involved a police officer slapping the vendor and forcing him into a police van, has raised concerns over the treatment of minorities in India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, videos of the incident have been circulated on social media, showcasing the police’s manhandling of the Kashmiri vendor. The vendor was subsequently charged under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The observance of Minorities Rights Day in India, held annually on December 18, is intended to recognize and protect the rights of minority communities. However, the incident in Lucknow casts a shadow on the celebrations, highlighting the challenges faced by minorities, particularly Muslims, in the country.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is described as particularly dire, with minorities reportedly living in a constant state of fear and being treated as second-class citizens. The policies of the Modi regime, allegedly influenced by the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), are claimed to have exacerbated the plight of minorities in India.

The report further mentions an alarming increase in hate crimes against Muslims and other minority groups in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, pointing to a worrying trend in what is often referred to as the world’s largest democracy.