Social media users have accused Satyam Pandit of selectively targeting Muslim traders while presenting his actions as enforcement of rules
GHAZIABAD — In yet another disturbing incident emerging from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu man harassed an elderly Muslim street vendor and warned him not to do business in the area again.
The man, identified as Satyam Pandit, is accused of routinely approaching poor vendors and small traders, particularly Muslims, and demanding that they produce certificates and permissions to run their businesses. Local Muslims allege that such confrontations have become a pattern, with vendors repeatedly being questioned and intimidated while trying to earn a living.
According to videos circulating on social media, Pandit was recently seen confronting an elderly Muslim vendor running a small roadside cart. During the exchange, he questioned the vendor’s right to operate and threatened him against setting up the stall again.
In the video, Pandit can be heard asking, “With whose permission are you working here and selling meat? Do you have permission from Muslims?”
Pandit is further heard threatening the elderly vendor and cautioning him against setting up his cart at the location in the future. “Don’t ever show up and run the business in this area again,” he said.
Social media users have questioned why a private individual is repeatedly demanding documents from street vendors instead of leaving such matters to municipal authorities. Many have accused Pandit of selectively targeting Muslim traders while presenting his actions as enforcement of rules.
The incident has triggered criticism online, with users describing the repeated targeting of poor Muslim vendors as harassment rather than legitimate civic enforcement. Several social media posts also alleged that Pandit has previously been involved in similar confrontations with Muslims and has appeared in videos demanding action against Muslim institutions and individuals.
One social media user, while criticising what he described as selective enforcement, wrote, “If the law is to be enforced, the administration should do so impartially. Repeatedly targeting one community is wrong. Then the question arises—why is no action taken against them? Do they have protection from those in power? The law should be equal for everyone. Vigilantism must stop.”
While others argued that if any vendor is operating without the required permissions, it is the responsibility of local authorities to address the matter through due process rather than through intimidation by self-appointed vigilantes.
At the time of writing, there has been no official response from local authorities regarding the incident or the allegations against Pandit.
