Police, acting under Hindutva pressure, detain the man and remove his eatery’s signboard, igniting outrage among local Muslims who feel increasingly targeted
BAREILLY – A Muslim dhaba (roadside eatery) owner in the Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly has been detained after Bajrang Dal leaders accused him of hiding his religious identity. The incident on Tuesday has once again raised fears within the country’s Muslim community, who say they are being singled out by Hindutva groups in public spaces.
According to reports, the trouble began when Bajrang Dal leaders stopped for breakfast at the dhaba located near Bhojipura on the Nainital Highway. After eating, they scanned the barcode to pay the bill and allegedly became enraged upon seeing the owner’s Muslim name.
“They accused me of hiding my identity and threatened me,” said the dhaba owner, speaking to local reporters before being detained. “I am just trying to earn a living with dignity. Running a small food shop is not a crime.”
Witnesses said Rashtriya Bajrang Dal leaders Subhash Joshi and Madan Mohan first confronted the dhaba owner and later returned with other activists, creating a scene that drew police intervention. Officers subsequently detained the owner and confiscated his shop’s signboard.
Muslims in the area say the action is unjust and reflects a worrying pattern. “This is not about a board or a name,” said local resident Imran Khan. “This is about humiliating Muslims and making them feel like outsiders in their own country.”
The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal leaders, however, insisted their objection was valid. Vivek Gangwar, District President of the organisation, alleged: “The owner had printed idols on the board during the Kanwar Yatra. This is misleading. We demand strict action against him.”
But Muslim voices in Bareilly argue that such claims are being used as an excuse for harassment. “First they attack what we eat, then where we pray, and now even how we name our small businesses,” said community elder Abdul Rahman. “This is a dangerous sign for our society.”
Activists say the police response reflects growing state bias. “Instead of protecting the victim, the police sided with the mob,” said a rights campaigner in Bareilly, who wished not to be named. “Detaining a man simply for his shop’s name is not law and order, it is injustice.”
The incident follows a pattern seen in other states, including Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims running eateries, shops, or stalls have been accused of concealing their identities or misleading Hindu customers. Local Muslim groups say such actions fuel division and deepen mistrust between communities.
For many, the incident is a reminder of how fragile daily life has become. “All we want is to live peacefully and feed our families,” said another shopkeeper in the area. “But it feels like Muslims are being targeted for everything we do.”
Police have not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed. The dhaba remains shut after its signboard was seized.
