Hindu religious figure threatens Muslims at Uttarakhand event in presence of Indian minister
Dehradun: A new video circulating online shows a Hindu religious figure issuing violent threats against Muslims during a public gathering in Almora, Uttarakhand, in the presence of Indian Minister of State Ajay Tamta.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the speaker, identified as “Lal Baba,” can be heard making inflammatory remarks targeting Muslims, warning those he described as having a “jihadi mentality” to leave Uttarakhand and threatening them with physical harm.
The event, organised under the banner of a “Bhavya Hindu Sammelan” by a local committee, has drawn sharp criticism from members of the Muslim community and civil society groups. They said the statements amounted to direct incitement to violence and demanded immediate legal action against the speaker.
A local Muslim representative said, “This was not just hate speech; it was an open threat against our lives and dignity. Such statements create fear among ordinary citizens.”
The controversy has intensified because Indian Minister of State Ajay Tamta reportedly shared the stage during the event. Critics have questioned why no immediate objection was raised during the speech and have demanded clarification from the minister regarding his stance on the remarks. As of now, Tamta has not made any public statement addressing the incident.
Members of the Muslim community in Almora and elsewhere in Uttarakhand have expressed anger and concern. Several organisations have called for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under laws dealing with hate speech and incitement to violence.
A community leader said, “If such speeches are ignored, it sets a dangerous precedent,” said a local community leader. Civil society activists have also warned that failure to act could threaten communal harmony in the state, urging authorities to take preventive measures.
So far, police have not registered a formal complaint or launched an investigation. Legal experts stressed that Indian law prohibits speech that promotes enmity between communities or incites violence. A retired legal analyst noted, “Freedom of speech does not extend to direct calls for violence. If the video is authentic, the matter requires careful legal scrutiny.”
