Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a firm stance against what his party terms "love jihad," referring to interfaith relationships.
The cancellation of registrations for 91 shops, predominantly operated by Muslims, by a traders” body in Uttarakhand”s Dharchula following an incident involving a Muslim man from Bareilly, has sparked tensions in the area. Locals have reportedly been asked not to rent houses and shops to “outsiders” in Dharchula, about 90 km from district headquarter Pithoragarh.
Mahesh Gabrayal, the general secretary of the Dharchula Vyapar Mandal, explained that the decision to revoke registrations was made in consultation with local authorities amid concerns over illegal business operations and safety of the women. He highlighted a specific incident where a barber from Bareilly was accused of luring two minor Hindu girls and eloping with them.
“A barber from Bareilly enticed two minor girls and took them away last month. Thereafter, we identified 91 shopkeepers who were doing business here illegally. They didn’t register with the Vyapar Mandal, which is mandatory in Uttarakhand,” he said according to reports.
The Vyapar Mandal, a body of over 600 traders, has decided to give membership only to those belonging to the state. Gabrayal alleged that traders coming from other states are involved in criminal activities that cannot be tolerated in this sensitive border town.
He said that the association has decided to cancel the registration of all those who came here from other states before 2000. “A total of 175 businessmen from the town have been identified so far. They all belong to western Uttar Pradesh. Local youths will be able to start businesses and earn a livelihood if we remove the outsiders from here,” he said.
In February, two individuals from Bareilly accused of luring the girls were arrested and charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 363 (kidnapping), 376 (sexual assault), 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), along with provisions of the POCSO Act, Dharchula SHO Parvez Ali said.
Expressing concern over the collective punishment of traders belonging to a particular community, Riyaz Ahmad, a shopkeeper, told The Telegraph that not all members should be held accountable for the actions of one individual. While condemning the actions of the barber, Ahmad urged the government to find a resolution.
Following a meeting with administrative officials in Pithoragarh district, the affected traders sought permission to resume their business operations. The district administration has assured that action is being taken against those advocating for the boycott and ensuring protection for shopkeepers facing harassment.
District magistrate Reena Joshi reiterated her commitment to uphold law and order. “We have registered an FIR against elements who forced the shop owners to shut their shops. No unlawful activity will be allowed. Traders from outside doing business in the town will be given full protection,” she said.
Sub-divisional magistrate Manjit Singh also assured that the traders whose membership has been cancelled are being provided full security by the district administration. “We appeal to the people to maintain peace. The shopkeepers have raised some issues and we will discuss them with the leaders of their association soon,” Singh added.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a firm stance against what his party terms “love jihad,” referring to interfaith relationships.
“People of different faiths co-exist peacefully in Uttarakhand but things like love jihad will not be tolerated. Crimes like these were being committed as part of a conspiracy. But people are coming out openly against them now,” Dhami had earlier told reporters.
