Dehradun, Tensions have risen in Dharchula town of Uttarakhand as a local traders’ association, reportedly aligned with the Hindutva ideologies of BJP and RSS, has ordered at least 86 Muslim shopkeepers to vacate the area. This move, indicative of escalating religious intolerance, not only jeopardizes the livelihoods of these traders but also highlights the deepening communal divide in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the association’s decision to cancel the shop registrations of Muslim traders, labeling them as “outsiders,” comes in the wake of a Muslim barber’s arrest under the false accusation of abducting two Hindu girls. This incident has stirred significant unrest and fear among the Muslim community in Dharchula, challenging their established presence and economic contributions to the town.
The affected traders refute the allegations of being outsiders, emphasizing their longstanding integration and positive impact on the local economy. The abrupt cancellation of their registrations poses an immediate threat to their businesses and underscores a worrying trend of economic discrimination based on religious identity.
Furthermore, the report includes an incident in Uttar Pradesh where Abdul Aziz, a Muslim man from Bihar’s Kishanganj, was assaulted by Neeraj Bhatti while collecting donations for a mosque in Salarpur village, Noida. The police have acknowledged the assault, with Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Vidya Sagar Mishra confirming the altercation and the involved parties.
These incidents paint a concerning picture of the growing religious intolerance and violence against Muslims in certain areas of India, prompting calls for urgent measures to protect minority rights and foster communal harmony.