Muslims on the receiving end of wrath of right- wing forces in ‘Devbhoomi’ Uttarakhand

Muslims on the receiving end of wrath of right- wing forces in ‘Devbhoomi’ Uttarakhand

S.M.A. KAZMI

Dehradun, Feb 28

The minority Muslim population of Uttarakhand state which is also known as ‘Devbhoomi’ (Land of Gods) has been at the receiving end of the wrath of the right-wing groups having the protection of ruling state Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Although, the Muslim community has been facing the accusation of ‘Love Jehad’, ‘Land Jehad’, ‘Mazar Jehad’,  ‘Thook Jehad’ and even ‘Nakal Jehad’ manufactured by none else than state Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is emerging as the young icon of ‘Hindutva’, for the past few years, the incidents of past week across the state, indicated that the with an aim to polarise for the coming assembly polls, the right wing groups have become more active at the ground level.

During the past week, incidents targeting minority Muslims have come to notice from Joshimath town in Chamoli district to the plains of Bahadarabad town in Haridwar district. Individual Muslims are being beaten up for offering ‘Namaz’ for being identified as Muslims, while in another case collective penal action was initiated by the authorities for offering ‘Namaz’ during the ongoing holy month of ‘Ramzan’.  Slogans are pasted on the newly constructed Dehradun-New Delhi highway announcing that the highway is not for Muslims, while derogatory pamphlets against Muslims were distributed along with morning newspapers in capital city Dehradun.

It was in Joshimath town of Chamoli district that office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate initiated preventive proceedings against 35 Muslims for offering ‘Taraweeh namaz’ inside a government and even in private buildings, citing apprehension of breach of peace. The 35 Muslims who have been proceeded against are local shopkeepers and small traders.

It was following start of fasting month of ‘Ramzan’ on Feb 19 that trouble started for miniscule Muslim community of Joshimath who like previous years had taken permission to hold ‘Taraweeh namaz’ (night prayers) at an under- construction government building hall. But soon a video of the ‘Namaz’ being held went viral on social media inviting objections from ‘Hindutva’ groups.

The district administration, based on a police report on February 23, expressed concern that tensions in the area could escalate due to the prayers. The report stated that if timely action is not taken, a breach of peace may occur and “a cognizable offence cannot be ruled out.” The report also mentioned that namaz was also offered at private places also and has led to resentment among some local residents.
The notice stated that “Due to this action of the people of the Muslim community, there is full possibility of breach of peace and order in the police station area. The facts recorded in the beat information have been found correct. The above persons can disturb the peace and order by fighting and quarrelling in the said dispute, due to which the occurrence of a cognizable offence cannot be ruled out.”

After examining the police report, the magistrate observed: “I have examined the challan report and considered the facts stated therein that the above persons may commit a cognizable offence involving breach of peace at any time. I am fully satisfied with the report.”

The court had directed all the named individuals to appear before it on February 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM. They have been instructed to furnish a personal bond of ₹20,000 along with sureties to ensure maintenance of peace. Since the SDM was not present, today, the case has been postponed but personal bonds were filed by the Muslims.

The preventive proceedings have been initiated under Sections 126/135 of the CrPC, which empower magistrates to require bonds for keeping the peace in cases of anticipated disturbance

Atul Sati, a local and a leader of  CPI(ML) said that Muslims had been offering ‘Taraweeh Prayers’ for past many years at nagar palika hall with permission but this time they were given under construction sports hall leading to controversy.

It was on the night of February 22 at Bahadarbad town of Haridwar district that Feroz Alam, a truck driver from Sambhal was mercilessly beaten up by a group with sticks and belts on knowing about his identity. Instead of taking action against the culprits, applications were received from both the sides. Finally, at a panchayat held on Thursday night, Feroze Alam was pressurised to compromise stating that ‘Nothing’ has happened with him.

In another incident at Rudrapur town of Udham Singh Nagar district, a Muslim labourer Mohammed Shahid was mercilessly beaten up by Arvind Sharma, for offering prayers in an open field. He was kicked and beaten up with a stick by Arvind Sharma who is believed to be a manager of a nearby temple. A complaint has been lodged with the police by Mohammed Shahid.

In a representation to Uttarakhand Director General of Police, opposition party leaders namely Sanjay Garg of Congress, Dr. Satyanarain Sachhan of Samajwadi Party, Samar Bhandari of CPI, Indresh Maikhuri of CPI(ML), Harbir Singh Kushwaha of Sarvodya Mandal, Vinod Badoni and Shanker Gopal of Chetna Andolan, sought action against ‘ Devbhoomi Raksha Manch’  who distributed derogatory pamphlets along with daily newspapers in some areas of Dehradun city on February 23, 2026. A procession was also taken out in the city based on the call given in the pamphlet but no police action was taken. They reminded the DGP about the Supreme Court directive in 2018 to police to take ‘Suo Moto’ action against such divisive forces.

In another incident, women volunteers of Hindu Raksha Dal painted on the walls of the newly constructed Dehradun-New Delhi Highway near Mohand in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh stating that “Muslims are not allowed to use the Highway”. Lalit Sharma, a leader of Hindu Raksha Dal claimed that they would continue to indulge in such activities even on mosques. Defending his action, he argued that the highways and roads are built on the tax pares money and only Hindus pay taxes and not Muslims. Later, the police blackened the slogans written on the highway.