From Uttarakhand to Uttar Pradesh, small neighbourhood disputes are turning into major flashpoints, with Muslim families alleging bias, delayed police action and social pressure
NEW DELHI – A troubling pattern is taking shape in several BJP-ruled states, where minor neighbourhood disputes involving Muslims are quickly turned into major law-and-order issues after “house for sale” posters appear outside homes and videos are pushed on social media. Muslim families say police action often comes only after public pressure is created, leaving them feeling unsafe and targeted.
The latest case is from Rudrapur in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district. The issue began with a quarrel between children from two neighbouring families in Subhash Colony. What started as a small dispute soon became a police case after one family put up a “makaan bikau hai” poster outside their house, claiming they were being forced to leave due to harassment by people from a “special community”.
According to the complaint, members of the Kamlesh family accused their Muslim neighbours of assault. Kamlesh alleged that his mother Urmila suffered a head injury and was admitted to the district hospital. He also claimed that earlier complaints to the police were ignored.
“We went to the police many times, but no one listened to us. Only after we put up the house-for-sale board did the police come and act,” Kamlesh said.
Soon after the poster appeared and videos spread online, police registered a case against the named Muslim residents and began an investigation. This sudden change in response has raised serious questions among local Muslims about equal treatment under the law.
Rudrapur City Circle Officer Prashant Kumar confirmed police action but admitted that the dispute began between children. “There was a fight between the two sides following a children’s dispute. A case has been registered on the basis of the complaint. I visited the spot myself and further action is being taken,” he said.
Muslim residents of the area, however, say the issue is being blown out of proportion. One resident, requesting anonymity, said, “If the matter was between children, why was it turned into a community issue? The moment such posters go up, Muslims are seen as criminals even before any fair inquiry.”
A similar incident occurred just two days earlier in Agra’s Kamla Nagar area. There, nearly 30 Hindu families put up “house for sale” posters after a disagreement with a Muslim youth named Sunny, who was the only person from the community living in the neighbourhood.
Videos from the area showed residents openly questioning Sunny’s right to live there. In one clip, a woman can be heard saying, “Why should a Muslim live in an Agarwal locality?” Despite no serious criminal record, the police arrested Sunny after the posters and videos went viral.
Only after Sunny was sent to jail on charges of assault and breach of peace did the situation calm down. Locals admitted that before the posters appeared, police were reluctant to act as there was no strong case.
A Muslim community member from Agra said, “This has become a tool. First create fear, then force police action. Once arrested, the damage is already done. Society believes the Muslim must be guilty.”
Rights activists warn that such incidents point to a deeper problem. “This is not about law and order alone. It is about social pressure and selective action. Muslims are being cornered through public campaigns, not legal processes,” said a Delhi-based social worker.
As these cases repeat themselves across states, Muslim families fear that even small disputes can now threaten their safety, dignity and right to live peacefully. The growing use of “house for sale” posters as a pressure tactic raises urgent questions about policing, prejudice and equal justice in today’s India.
