After Hindu Raksha Dal members were filmed giving out swords and axes door to door, Manickam Tagore said years of hate politics have reached the streets
GHAZIABAD — Tension gripped this Uttar Pradesh city after members of the Hindu Raksha Dal were seen distributing swords and axes in residential areas, an act that triggered outrage and fear, especially among Muslims. The incident has raised fresh questions about public safety, policing, and the spread of open hate in BJP-ruled states.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore launched a strong attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), linking the incident to what he described as decades of hate training. He said such acts were no longer hidden and were now happening openly on the streets.
“The hatred the RSS has sown for 100 years is now in full swing in BJP-ruled states,” Tagore said. “The police are remaining mute spectators to such weapon distribution activities by RSS wings.”
He warned that India was being pushed towards violence and division. “Hatred must be stopped. India cannot become a marketplace for hatred,” he added.
The video clips from Ghaziabad, widely shared on social media, showed men linked to the Hindu Raksha Dal moving from house to house with swords. Muslim residents in nearby areas said the images caused fear and panic.
A local Muslim shopkeeper, requesting anonymity, said, “When people walk openly with swords, we feel unsafe. Our children are scared. We ask if the law is equal for everyone.”
Following public anger, Uttar Pradesh Police said action was taken without delay. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shalimar Garden, Atul Kumar Singh confirmed multiple arrests.
“On December 29, 2025, the Shalimar Garden Police Station received information through social media that Pinky Chaudhary, National President of Hindu Raksha Dal, was distributing swords,” Singh said. “A case was registered against 16 named individuals and 25 to 30 unidentified persons. So far, 10 people have been arrested, and others are being searched for.”
Police sources said the investigation was ongoing and strict legal steps would follow.
Manickam Tagore also linked this incident to a wider pattern of violence. He referred to the killing of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura, in Dehradun, calling it a “heinous crime” shaped by years of hate messaging.
“The RSS’s 100 years of hate campaigns have entered the minds of the youth,” Tagore said. “This hatred is leading to such acts. The RSS must be held responsible.”
Muslim rights groups said such incidents deepen insecurity among minorities and weaken trust in institutions. One community activist in Ghaziabad said, “Weapons on the streets are not culture or faith. They are a threat. The state must protect all citizens, not look away.”
The Ghaziabad case has again brought focus on the safety of Indian Muslims, the role of extremist groups, and the duty of authorities to act firmly before fear turns into violence.
