Team Clarion
MUMBAI – A series of videos on social media platforms on Friday brought to light a systematic targeting of Muslim vegetable vendors in the Badlapur city of Maharashtra’s Thane District. The videos show members of Hindutva outfits assaulting the vendors alleging them to be Bangladeshis. The assault is part of the Hindu groups’ purported campaign to make “Bangladeshi mukt Badlapur” (Bangladesh-free).
The videos put out by Hate Detector on its X handle capture a moment of the right-wing members conducting aggressive raids on multiple vegetable stalls owned by Muslim vendors after accusing them of being “Bangladeshi immigrants “.
The short videos show members of the Hindutva groups chasing the vendors and interrogating them about their identity. The group members also demand the vendors to present their Aadhaar cards to prove their nationality.
One particularly distressing clip shows a young vendor constantly asserting his identity, stating, “I am from Kolkata, not Bangladesh,” while the group members are seen ignoring his clarification and hurling communal slurs at him.
The actions of the Hindutva groups have ignited huge outrage with critics and activists questioning the administrative authority for not taking appropriate action to prevent radial groups and ensure the safety of minority community members as well as their business.
On the other side, the people have also expressed concern about the implication of allowing such fringe groups to operate with impunity, demanding to know the legal basis for which the raids were carried out.
