Uttarakhand Hindu Raksha Dal marched to Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, protesting the Lok Sabha member’s defence of Eid namaz on roads
NEW DELHI/SHAMLI – Members of a right-wing Hindu organisation reached Kairana in the Uttar Pradesh district of Shamli and openly threatened the family of Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan after she defended the right of Muslims to offer Eid namaz on roads.
The incident, which took place recently, saw members of the Hindu Raksha Dal — led by its Uttarakhand state president Lalit Sharma — protesting outside Iqra Hasan’s residence. They recited the Hindu hymns, Hanuman Chalisa, and warned that they would continue such actions if the MP did not withdraw her statement.
Iqra Hasan, the youngest MP in the current Lok Sabha and daughter of former MP Tabassum Hasan, had criticised the government’s ban on offering Eid namaz on roads. She had said that offering prayers for just ten minutes should not be seen as a problem.
“It is not a crime to pray for ten minutes. If roads are not blocked and people return quietly, there should be no objection,” Iqra had said earlier.
But her remarks were met with anger by Hindu groups, especially the Hindu Raksha Dal. Lalit Sharma told reporters in Shamli, “If Iqra Hasan thinks she can say anything and no one will respond, she is wrong. We will come to her house and show her the power of Hanuman Chalisa.”
Sharma also made shocking threats against Iqra’s family. “This is Hindu Raksha Dal. We can fix her brother and her mother’s thinking in two minutes,” he said, referring to her brother and mother, who are also politically active.
The protest group was initially stopped by the police from carrying out their full plan. When they attempted to march with flags and recite the Hanuman Chalisa in large numbers, security personnel intervened, citing safety concerns.
“We will not allow anyone to disturb peace or provoke violence. The situation was handled calmly and only five people were allowed to chant Hanuman Chalisa under police presence,” said a senior police officer who did not wish to be named.
Despite this, the Hindu Raksha Dal refused to back down. One sadhu among the protestors even threatened self-immolation if the police did not allow them to proceed.
Lalit Sharma insisted the protest was pre-planned. “We had already decided that if Iqra supports namaz on roads, we will go to her house. This is not just a protest; it is a warning,” he claimed.
The organisation had earlier burnt an effigy of the MP in Uttarakhand, and their anger has now spilled into Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, local Muslims expressed concern over the increasing hostility.
“Why should our prayers bother anyone? If Hindus can perform religious events on roads, why can’t we pray peacefully for a few minutes?” said Rehan Siddiqui, a resident of Kairana.
Another local, who requested anonymity out of fear, said: “These threats are not just to Iqra Hasan but to every Muslim who raises their voice. It is shameful.”
The protest came after the local administration issued a controversial warning that any Muslim found praying on roads during Eid could have their passport and driving licence cancelled.
Iqra Hasan had strongly opposed the order, calling it unjust. She questioned why such harsh measures were being taken for a peaceful prayer.
“This shows bias. If the government truly believes in equality, such rules should apply to all religious events, not just Muslim ones,” she had said.
While police managed to control the situation this time, there is growing fear among local Muslims about the rise in open threats from right-wing groups.
A local lawyer, Shahid Malik, criticised the silence of higher authorities. “The government must take action. These are criminal threats being made in public. If no one is punished, it will only encourage more violence,” he said.
Despite the threats, Iqra Hasan has stood firm. In a recent statement, she said: “I will not be scared by such bullying. I have a duty to speak for justice, and I will continue to do so.”
Rights activists and opposition leaders have condemned the incident. Many have asked why the police allowed even a limited protest so close to a public representative’s home when threats were clearly made.
No action has been taken so far against Lalit Sharma or any member of the Hindu Raksha Dal. Local police said they are “looking into the matter.”
But for many, the message from this incident is worrying.
“If elected MPs are being targeted like this for defending constitutional rights, what hope do ordinary Muslims have?” asked Saleem Khan, a social worker in Shamli.
