The remarks have drawn criticism from various quarters accusing Sharma of violating constitutional principles of equality and religious freedom
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Laced with Hindutva rhetoric, a BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad publicly warned Muslim shopkeepers to desist from selling meat and other non-vegetarian items in a predominantly Hindu locality. She even threatened Muslim shop owners with dire consequences as several policemen watched idly.
In a video which has gone viral, BJP’s Sunita Sharma is seen demanding that Muslim shopkeepers vacate the area immediately, failing which she threatened to “attack” them. She is seen warning the shopkeepers against disobeying her dictates, reports reaching here said on Wednesday.
“I have learned there are two biryani shops in this area. This is a Hindu area, and our Yogi Ji (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) says no meat shops should operate here. Listen carefully, vacate the shop immediately,” she is heard as saying.
The incident is said to have occurred during a public gathering in Ramganga Vihar area of the city, where Sharma alleged that the presence of such shops in a Hindu-majority area hurt religious sentiments. She further stated that any delay in vacating the premises would result in direct action from her and her supporters.
The remarks have drawn criticism from various quarters accusing Sharma of promoting communal polarisation and violating constitutional principles of equality and religious freedom.
Activists and political commentators have expressed concerns about the potential for such rhetoric to incite violence and disturb social harmony.
Legal experts point out that such threats could violate provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to incitement and hate speech. Local law enforcement authorities are yet to issue a formal statement on whether action will be taken against her.
