Won’t allow Muslim-owned shop in Dehradun, says Hindutva group
Dehradun: A Muslim shopkeeper in Uttarakhand has said that he was threatened, assaulted and forced to shut down his business by a Hindutva group that told him “a Muslim-owned shop” would not be allowed to operate in a Hindu area.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the shopkeeper, who has been running his business in Dehradun for nearly 25 years, said a group of men entered his shop, assaulted him, vandalised the premises, raised communal slogans and threatened to kill him. He said he filed a police complaint but no action was taken. He reopened the shop on 9 July. However, he the same individuals returned shortly after and warned him again, saying they would not allow a Muslim-owned shop to run in the neighbourhood.
Videos of the confrontation went viral on social media. The shopkeeper was forced to shut the business again amid fears for his safety. The videos have drawn widespread condemnation online, with users questioning how a businessman operating for decades could be targeted over his religious identity and urging Uttarakhand Police to act.
