Trade groups in Uttarakhand call for expulsion of all Muslim families
Hindu supremacist groups in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli have issued an ultimatum to Muslim families and businesses, demanding their eviction from the region by December 31, 2024.
A traders body passed resolutions seeking the expulsion of all Muslim residents and business owners from the town, warning that both tenants and their landlords would face legal consequences and fines if the Muslim families failed to vacate by the deadline. Another directive sought to impose a blanket ban on Muslim vendors and traders from doing business within the town’s area.
BJP-ruled Uttarakhand has seen increasing instances of religious discrimination against Muslims, who make up about 13% of the state’s population.
Decade-old Muslim shrine demolished in Uttarakhand
A decade-old Muslim shrine in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand’s Haridwar was demolished by civic officials who claimed it had been constructed illegally.
The demolition of Muslim shrines across India has been endemic. Between May and August of 2023 alone, officials demolished 465 shrines. Muslims have accused the BJP government in the state of selectively targeting their shrines under the guise of removing encroachments from public land.
700 Muslims booked for protesting anti-Muslim social media post
Police officials in Uttar Pradesh booked 700 Muslims who were protesting on the streets against an anti-Muslim social media post by Hindu extremist and hatemonger Akhil Tyagi.
Hundreds of Muslims had taken to the streets raising slogans demanding the arrest of Tyagi, who had posted an insulting remark that they believed was to “intentionally offend” Indian Muslims.
Muslim men assaulted for alleged cow smuggling despite having receipts
In BJP-ruled Assam’s Kaliabar, four Muslim drivers were assaulted and their car was damaged by Hindu extremist locals who accused them of being cow smugglers. Despite the men having legal receipts for their cow purchases from the market, they were handed over to the police.
In Maharashtra’s Pune, a man was brutally assaulted by Hindu extremist cow vigilantes for allegedly transporting beef. In Uttar Pradesh’s Etah, a Hindu extremist stopped a truck carrying cattle and assaulted the driver.
Muslim delegation stopped from visiting violence-hit region, detained
A delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, one of the largest and most influential Muslim bodies in India, was stopped and detained by police officials on their way to the communal violence-hit area of Bahraich in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. The delegation was to meet with the victims of the recent violence, assess their situation, and provide possible assistance.
Recently, violence broke out over loud music being played outside a mosque during a Hindu procession. Ram Gopal Mishra, part of the Hindu group, died of a gunshot wound in the ensuing violence. Following his death, angry mobs torched several Muslim-owned shops, hospitals, and vehicles. Opposition leaders have also accused the police of staging a fake encounter after two Muslim men were shot in the leg while allegedly attempting to flee arrest.
