The signs threaten non-Hindus and Rohingya Muslims with severe legal repercussions if they are found in the area or if they attempt to do business there. (representative image)
Reports from Uttarakhand say that signboards have come up in several areas prohibiting the entry of non-Hindus and Rohingya Muslims. Nayyer Kazmi Kazmi, the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) state president, shared with the Indian Express that he has photographs showing these boards at multiple locations in Rudraprayag district. The signs threaten non-Hindus and Rohingya Muslims with severe legal repercussions if they are found in the area or if they attempt to do business there.
On Thursday, two Muslim delegations met with Uttarakhand Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar. Kazmi stated that during this meeting, they expressed concerns that recent incidents targeting minorities are damaging not only humanity and communal harmony but also Uttarakhand’s reputation.
“It is known that the unpleasant incident that happened in Nandghat of Chamoli district due to a mere allegation is shocking and condemnable. The majority local and extremist groups created an atmosphere by giving hate speeches against the local minority Muslims, in the heat of which local people targeted shops, houses and places of worship of the Muslims looted them, and pelted stones,” said Kazmi in a letter to the DGP.
Kazmi claimed that the presence of warning boards throughout the state has led to many Muslims migrating and feeling fearful of returning to Nandghat.
Earlier this month, a mob attacked approximately a dozen shops owned by Muslims in Nandanagar, Chamoli, following allegations that a 25-year-old man from the community made an obscene gesture towards a minor girl. The police subsequently filed an FIR against 300 unidentified individuals.
“Such incidents which happened some time back at different places in our state are harming humanity, mutual harmony and the image of Uttarakhand, hence it is expected from you that in the present incident, the affected Muslims will be rehabilitated and strict and fair legal action will be taken against the persons involved and mischievous elements so that the victims can get individual and collective justice,” said Kazmi in the letter.
Earlier this year, registrations for 91 shops, predominantly operated by Muslims, were cancelled by a traders’ body in Uttarakhand”s Dharchula following an incident involving a Muslim man from Bareilly. Locals were reportedly directed not to rent houses and shops to “outsiders” in Dharchula, about 90 km from Pithoragarh.
