MUSLIMS FLEE INDIA’S UTTARKASHI AFTER HINDU RIGHT WING THREATS VACATE YOUR SHOPS OR FACE “DIRE CONSEQUENCES”

In a similar manner to Nazi Germany, Muslim-owned shops were marked with black crosses.

Tue 13 June 2023:

Muslim families leaving their homes, Hindutva mobs rampaging through Muslim-owned businesses, and protests against “love-jihadis” are just a few of the images that have come to reflect life in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district over the past few weeks.

Tensions in the Purola area erupted on May 26 after two men were allegedly found with a minor girl by some local residents. One of the two men was Muslim, leading to allegations of “love jihad”.

Police identified the two men as Ubaid Khan (24) and Jitendra Saini (23), who were booked under sections 363 (kidnapping) and 366A (procuration of minor girl) of the IPC, as well as under the POCSO Act. They are currently in judicial custody.

Even though there were two men involved, one of whom is a Hindu, the presence of a Muslim man reportedly led to suspicions and rumors of ‘love jihad’ spreading like wildfire in the town. ‘Love Jihad’ is a term coined by the Hindutva right wing bodies implying that Muslim men are out to ‘lure and trap’ Hindu women, only as a means to convert them to Islam.

The day after the incident, protest rallies were organised by right-wing groups, the local Vyapar Mandal (trade union), and some residents. They demanded strict action against the accused and called for a stringent verification process of “outsiders” who come to the town.

Purola isn’t an isolated fray! Rallies were held in parts of Uttarkashi – in towns of Barkot & Chinyalisaur & villages of Naugaon, Damta, Barnigad, Netwar & Bhatwari – against Muslims! All of them were laced with messaging on "Love Jihad" & other Hindutva tropes against Muslims! https://t.co/geJyMVCqh1 pic.twitter.com/LiRnMMFytW

— Muslim Spaces (@MuslimSpaces) June 12, 2023

Posters also came up threatening Muslim traders with consequences if they did not shut down their shops.

There are around 35-40 shops run by Muslims in Purola, and all have been shut for the past 12 days.

Subsequently, posters were noticed on all Muslim-run shops in the area, that threatened them with “dire consequences.”

The posters threatening Muslims were found pasted across Muslim-run shops.

“Love jihadis are informed that they need to vacate their shops before the June 15 Mahapanchayat. If you do not do this, then it (the result) will be seen at the time,” the posters read.

The harassment of Muslims wasn’t limited to Purola. In the nearby town of Barkot, shutters of shops owned by Muslims were marked with a black cross.

Photos of this went viral on social media, with many on social media saying this was reminiscent of Nazi Germany, when Jewish traders were targeted in a similar fashion.

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand: Muslim owned shops forcibly closed by Hindutva outfits! Posters have come up asking Muslim traders to vacate their shops before a Panchayat for "targeting Hindu women" to be held on June 15! Some Muslim shopkeepers have left Uttarkashi & came to Dehradun! pic.twitter.com/FQ6vYJD0bL

— Muslim Spaces (@MuslimSpaces) June 6, 2023

“There are around five-six (Muslim) families living here for decades, including ours, and they, too, are being targeted now. They are using social media to threaten us. We have also been removed from the WhatsApp group of the Vyapar Mandal. Instead of giving us security, the PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) jawans deployed here are asking us not to leave our houses,” said Mohammad Ashraf (41), who runs a garment shop in the area. Ashraf is one of the few members of the community to own a house in Purola.

Uttarakhand: ‘Quit’ Posters, Cross Marks On Muslim Shops Send Chilling Message In Uttarkashi!!!

Posters surfaced after Hindutva outfits & locals held protests in Purola & Barkot & reportedly shops & houses belonging to Muslims were attacked & vandalised!!!#SaveUttarkashiMuslims https://t.co/fKaolksPWT pic.twitter.com/UlYeYinkUL

— Muslim Spaces (@MuslimSpaces) June 11, 2023

“We are living in constant fear and cannot return to Purola in such an atmosphere. If they want us to leave the hills, authorities should compensate us for the property owned by us,” said 35-year-old Saleem, who runs a garment shop in Purola and has fled to his brother’s house in Dehradun.

In Uttarkashi, India, Hindu supremacists are attacking shops and houses of Muslim traders, shouting Jai Shri Ram. Only some miles from here, China is encroaching Indian territory but Hindu supremacist regime doesn’t dare to confront China! pic.twitter.com/cygQbUFmbE

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) June 11, 2023

Another 40-year-old Muslim shopkeeper in the market, who did not wish to be identified, told Hindustan Times: “We condemn the abduction bid and demand strict action against the culprits. We don’t support people who indulge in criminal and illegal activities.”

On Monday, a few Muslim families also handed over a memorandum to Purola sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), highlighting the financial crisis they are facing and seeking security to reopen businesses. The memorandum, according to the Hindustan Times, also said that the administration will be held responsible if anything untoward happens to the Muslims.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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