BJP leader harasses Muslim youth on namaz pretext in Uttarakhand
New Delhi: A Muslim youth has complained of harassment and intimidation by BJP leader Sanjay Singh Chauhan in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, after being falsely accused of offering namaz in a public place.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the youth said he was in Rishikesh to visit his grandmother at hospital and was on his way to his uncle’s residence when Chauhan stopped him on the road, demanded his identity card, questioned his presence and accused him of offering prayers.
He was abused and threatened during the encounter. Videos of the confrontation have gone viral on social media. In one clip, Chauhan is seen questioning the youth and calling him an “outsider.”
Some locals were seen trying to defuse the situation. Social media users who shared the videos claimed the youth was not offering prayers and was targeted because of his religious identity.
The incident has reignited concerns over increasing scrutiny and harassment of Muslims in public spaces. Civil rights advocates said such incidents fuel fear and profiling based on religious identity.
