Muslims decry growing religious bullying and state’s failure to protect minority livelihoods and religious coexistence.
GHAZIABAD — A fresh wave of religious tension unfolded in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, as members of the Hindu Raksha Dal stormed into popular eateries KFC and Nazir, demanding their closure over the sale of non-vegetarian food during the Hindu month of Sawan. The act, recorded on video and widely circulated online, has stirred deep concern among Indian Muslims, who say this incident is yet another example of unchecked religious bullying under the guise of protecting faith.
The video, which went viral on social media platforms, shows a group of saffron-clad young men entering food outlets, shouting “Jai Shri Ram” slogans and waving saffron flags. Some of them can be heard saying that the sale of meat during Sawan hurts Hindu sentiments, especially during the Kanwar Yatra when pilgrims observe fasts and avoid meat.
One protester in the video is heard saying, “It is the holy month of Sawan. Everyone should respect Hindu faith. The smell of meat disturbs our religious sentiments.”
These statements and actions, however, have been criticised as an excuse for open intimidation, especially since KFC and Nazir, among other eateries targeted, are either owned or staffed significantly by Muslims. There is growing fear that such protests are being used to indirectly target Muslim businesses under religious pretences.
Speaking to a reporter on condition of anonymity, a Muslim worker from one of the shut restaurants said, “They didn’t ask politely. They barged in, waved flags, shouted slogans, and threatened us. It felt less about Sawan and more about showing us our place.”
A local shopkeeper in the area added, “These men only went to Muslim shops. There are other outlets selling eggs and meat, but they were not touched. Why only Nazir and KFC? What kind of message is being given?”
Activists from civil society and minority rights groups have raised alarms over the incident, questioning the silence of the administration and police. While Hindu Raksha Dal claims to have submitted a memorandum requesting a ban on non-veg eateries near the Kanwar Yatra routes, Muslims in the area argue that this demand is turning into coercion.
A spokesperson of the Hindu Raksha Dal told local media, “In the month of Sawan, when lakhs of people are engaged in devotion, the sale and cooking of meat in nearby areas deeply hurt our faith. We have asked the administration to ban such shops within 100 to 200 metres of Kanwar Yatra routes.”
But local Muslim leaders say this is a dangerous precedent.
“Religious belief cannot override constitutional rights,” said Faheem Khan, a local councillor and community organiser. “If the state starts giving in to such pressure, it will no longer be a secular republic. This is harassment.”
Legal experts agree that the right to trade and do business is protected under the Indian Constitution, and religious groups cannot enforce dietary practices in public or shared spaces.
Despite the public disruption, no official statement has been issued by either the management of KFC, Nazir, or the local administration. So far, no action has been taken against the protestors. This silence is being seen as quiet approval or at least indifference from the authorities.
Zahra Ansari, a local resident, questioned, “If Muslims gathered outside a Hindu restaurant demanding a closure because they serve prasad or organise bhajan during Ramzan, what would happen? We would all be labelled anti-national or terrorists. But when Hindus threaten us, the police do nothing.”
The Uttar Pradesh government has indeed made arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra, including traffic control, security, and public health facilities. But the communal targeting of eateries, especially Muslim-owned ones, has brought the nature of these ‘arrangements’ into question.
“Why is protection only for Kanwariyas and not for common people, traders, workers?” asked Irfan Siddiqui, a schoolteacher from the area. “The government is not supposed to take sides in religious matters. This is a betrayal of the Constitution.”
Sawan, a holy month in the Hindu calendar, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many Hindus fast during this time and follow a vegetarian diet. The Kanwar Yatra, where pilgrims collect holy water and carry it to Shiva temples, is part of this tradition.
But this month is also a time of concern for many minorities, especially Muslims, who have increasingly found themselves under surveillance and pressure. With accusations of cow slaughter, forced closures, and now public shaming, many feel their religious freedom and livelihood are under threat.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In recent years, several reports have emerged from across northern India where Hindu mobs have threatened or attacked meat sellers during Hindu festivals. While religious practice is every citizen’s right, the problem arises when it becomes a tool for enforcing majoritarian control.
Human rights groups say that this is a trend that cannot be ignored.
“This is not about food or faith. This is about asserting dominance,” said Dr. Naseem Ahmed, a retired professor of political science. “By targeting Muslim businesses under the excuse of religion, these groups are trying to build a Hindu-first nation. This is dangerous for everyone, including Hindus who believe in peaceful coexistence.”
The matter has drawn attention from Muslim organisations who now plan to approach the National Minorities Commission. “We will not stay silent,” said one representative from Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. “We will ask the Commission to investigate why there is no protection for Muslim business owners in BJP-ruled states.”
The incident comes just weeks before Eid-ul-Adha, a major Muslim festival where animal sacrifice is an integral part of religious practice. Many fear that similar protests or violence could be unleashed again.
“We fear our celebrations will again be made political,” said Arshad Ali, a meat trader from nearby Meerut. “Every year, they create fear, abuse us, and block our work. We are tired.”
Calls have been made on social media by Muslim youth groups asking the police to clarify if religious freedom is only for the majority community. The lack of arrests or warnings to the protesters is seen as yet another signal of bias.
What is more troubling to many is not just the act of shutting down eateries but the lack of accountability. The police, the district officials, and even the state government have not responded publicly. For India’s Muslims, this silence is loud.
“Why are our rights always last on the list?” asks Samina Begum, a homemaker. “If our food, our faith, our jobs are all to be dictated by mobs, then where is democracy?”
This Ghaziabad incident, though small in scale, reflects a larger problem brewing in India’s public life — a slow but steady shrinking of Muslim space, identity, and dignity.
Until the state speaks up, and equal laws are enforced equally, Muslims across India may continue to live in fear — not just of mobs, but of a system that watches and does nothing.
