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Hapur: The Kartik Fair in Garhmukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh\u2019s Hapur witnessed an alarming surge in communal tension when Swami Yashveer Maharaj, known for his provocative statements, arrived with supporters and publicly targeted Muslim shopkeepers.<\/p>\n
According to Kashmir Media Service, authorities stopped him at the Garh intersection, preventing him from entering the fair and averting potential conflict.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media, Swami Yashveer launched a verbal assault against minority vendors, claiming they were harming the sanctity of the religious gathering.<\/p>\n
Swami Yashveer accused Muslims of defiling offerings, asserting, \u201cJihadi gangs set up shops at the fair and hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus by spitting and urinating.\u201d He further threatened that those identified as offending the Hindu faith would be expelled, emphasising, \u201cThose who defile offerings and puja materials with spit and urine will not be allowed to enter the fair.\u201d<\/p>\n
His statements came despite clear government directives and police presence, raising serious concerns about the safety and dignity of minority shopkeepers, many of whom rely on such fairs for their livelihoods.<\/p>\n
Local Muslim vendors expressed fear and disappointment at the discriminatory rhetoric. A shopkeeper at the fair said, \u201cWe come here every year to earn our living and serve the community. Being threatened simply because of our religion is deeply hurtful and frightening.\u201d Another vendor added, \u201cReligious fairs should be spaces for all people to participate peacefully. No one should feel unsafe while working.\u201d<\/p>\n
Social observers warned that such remarks could fuel communal disharmony, while authorities maintained that preventing Swami Yashveer from entering the fair was crucial to ensure public order.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hapur: The Kartik Fair in Garhmukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh\u2019s Hapur witnessed an alarming surge in communal tension when Swami Yashveer Maharaj, known for his provocative statements, arrived with supporters and publicly targeted Muslim shopkeepers. According to Kashmir Media Service, authorities stopped him at the Garh intersection, preventing him from entering the fair and averting potential …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":187113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-187112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-india"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t