Video from Rishikesh area in the Uttarakhand capital shows Hindus demolishing a shrine built by a Hindu family on private land, hurling abuse at Muslims and issuing threats
DEHRADUN — A disturbing incident from Uttarakhand’s capital has raised fresh concerns about the safety of minorities and the rule of law after a mob linked to Hindu organisations demolished a shrine in the Rishikesh area of Dehradun.
The incident took place on January 2 in Bhattu Wala, under the Rishikesh area, when members of a Hindu mob reached the site and pulled down a shrine using hammers. A video of the attack has since gone viral on social media, showing men shouting religious slogans and making abusive remarks about Muslims while damaging the structure.
According to local residents, the shrine stood on private land owned by a Hindu family and had been built by the family as part of their personal faith. Despite this, the mob targeted the shrine and ignored repeated requests to stop.
In the video, a man linked to the group is heard saying, “Why are Hindus worshipping the Pir of the mullahs?” Another voice is heard threatening the family, saying, “You are two, we are seventy, and everyone has bricks and stones in their hands.”
Witnesses said the family pleaded with the group to leave the shrine untouched. “They kept requesting them to stop, but no one listened,” a local resident said. “The family was scared. The mob was aggressive and loud.”
The attackers also used openly hateful language. In the video, one man is heard saying, “We worship our God. We don’t worship the Pir of the mullahs. Are we doomed?” Another voice makes communal slurs and claims, “These puncture repairers are doing love jihad,” followed by remarks about “72 after death,” statements widely seen as aimed at Muslims.
Residents said panic spread in the area as the demolition happened in broad daylight. “People were afraid to intervene,” a shopkeeper nearby said. “The mob was large and violent. There was chaos.”
The accused group itself claimed that the shrine was being “freed” and said the family had warned them that destroying it could invite divine anger. Despite this, the demolition continued.
The incident comes at a time when protests are being held in India over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. Rights activists say it is deeply worrying that, instead of showing restraint, extremist groups are targeting Muslims and symbols linked to Islam inside India.
“This is not about land or legality,” a local activist said. “This is about hate. When mobs are allowed to act like this on camera, it sends a message that minorities are not safe.”
So far, there has been no clear statement on police action against those seen in the video. Residents and Muslim groups are demanding strict action and asking why such a mob was allowed to operate freely in a public area.
“This shrine was on private land and harmed no one,” a resident said. “If the law cannot protect even that, then what protection do minorities really have?”
