Outrage over growing communal hatred in the country; the widely condemned incident highlights how communal hatred is being openly spread under the guise of protecting religion
NEW DELHI — A disturbing video from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh has gone viral, shows members of a Hindu organisation harassing Muslim women applying mehndi (henna) to Hindu women ahead of festive celebrations. The group, identified as members of the Kranti Sena, can be seen raising slogans like ‘Mehndi Jihad Band Karo’ (Stop Mehndi Jihad) and ordering Hindu women not to let Muslims touch their hands.
The incident, which took place in a crowded marketplace, has triggered widespread condemnation on social media, where users have accused the group of spreading communal hatred and dividing communities that have lived together peacefully for centuries.
One of the men in the viral clip can be heard saying, “This is a sin. No Hindu woman should let a Muslim apply mehndi on her hands. If you want, get it done by your brothers and sisters from your own faith.”
Eyewitnesses said Muslim women, dressed in burqas, had been peacefully doing their work when a group of saffron scarf–wearing men arrived, raised slogans, and forced them to stop their work. The frightened women quietly packed their mehndi cones and left the area.
The mob went from stall to stall, warning customers not to take mehndi from any Muslim artist. Videos show the group addressing women in the market, saying, “This festival is ours, and giving your hand to a Muslim is like committing a sin.”
Locals said that this was the first time such an incident had occurred in their area. “We have always celebrated together. During Eid, Hindus greet Muslims, and during Diwali or Karva Chauth, Muslims do mehndi work. No one ever saw it as wrong,” said Shabnam, a mehndi artist who was present during the confrontation.
She added tearfully, “I do this work every year to support my family. Suddenly they came shouting at us like we were criminals. Mehndi is art, not religion.”
Observers have described the action as a form of economic boycott, aimed at depriving Muslims of their livelihood. “This is not about faith, it’s about hate,” said Rafiq Ahmad, a local community leader. “They don’t want Muslims to earn, even by honest means. First, they called it ‘Love Jihad’, now it’s ‘Mehndi Jihad’. Tomorrow it could be something else.”
The Kranti Sena, known for promoting Hindutva ideology, reportedly led the protest claiming to “protect Hindu culture.” Videos show members patrolling markets, telling Hindu women not to get mehndi applied by Muslim women.
Human rights activists have condemned the act, calling it part of a larger campaign to isolate Muslims socially and economically. “This is a clear attempt to poison the atmosphere of brotherhood in India,” said Anjali Sharma, a social activist from Muzaffarnagar. “These women were only earning their bread. Stopping them is both cruel and unconstitutional.”
The video has drawn fierce criticism online. Many users wrote that such behaviour is against India’s centuries-old culture of harmony. One post read, “This is Hindustan, where people share each other’s joys. Turning mehndi into a symbol of hate is shameful.”
Another user commented, “First they attacked love between communities, now even applying mehndi is a problem. This is not religion, this is pure hatred.”
Memories of the past communal violence still haunt Muzaffarnagar’s Muslim community. Incidents like this have deepened their sense of insecurity. “We just want to live peacefully and work honestly,” said Nasreen, another mehndi artist. “If applying mehndi becomes a sin, what will we do next?”
Community elders have urged local authorities to take action and protect the rights of Muslim workers. “The police must act before such incidents destroy what is left of our social harmony,” said Maulana Shakir, a local cleric.
Despite the provocation, several Hindu residents of the area have voiced support for their Muslim neighbours. “My wife always gets her mehndi done by the same Muslim women. They are like family,” said Vijay Singh, a shopkeeper. “No one can tell us whom to trust. This is not Hinduism; this is hate in the name of religion.”
Community leaders have appealed for peace and unity, reminding citizens of India’s shared traditions. “For centuries, Hindus and Muslims have celebrated each other’s festivals,” said Dr Farah Qureshi, a professor of social studies. “This attempt to separate them is not only dangerous but deeply un-Indian.”
The Muzaffarnagar “Mehndi Jihad” incident exposes how ordinary acts of cultural exchange are being weaponised to divide communities. What was once a joyful symbol of festivity has become a target of hate.
As India marks its festivals, many are asking: If even a mehndi cone can become a cause for communal division, what remains of our shared humanity?
