The Palwal incident’s video has gone viral; concerns over safety, discrimination and growing fear among minority communities in the region
PALWAL — A Muslim honey seller was allegedly threatened and forced to leave a village in Haryana’s Palwal district after being targeted over his religious identity, according to a video that has spread widely on social media.
The incident took place in the Hodal area, where the vendor, identified as Qutbuddin, was stopped while selling honey. In the video, a man linked to a local group is seen questioning him about his name and religion, and then making remarks about his community.
After learning the vendor’s name, the man is heard making comments questioning the purity of the honey. He also claims that people from the Muslim community mix “urine or spit” in food items, a statement that has drawn strong criticism online.
Qutbuddin, who appeared visibly uncomfortable in the video, remained mostly silent during the exchange.
A resident, reacting to the incident, said, “This is very disturbing. A person is trying to earn a living, and he is being targeted only because of his name and religion.”
In the same video, the man is also heard asking people not to buy goods from Muslims and to avoid doing business with them. He says, “Do not purchase anything from them,” and calls for a complete boycott.
The situation became more serious when the vendor was allegedly threatened. The man warns him not to return to the area and says there will be “serious consequences” if he is seen again.
According to those who shared the video online, such remarks have created fear among small traders, especially those who travel from place to place to sell goods.
A social media user wrote, “This is not just about one person. It sends a message to many others that they are not safe while working.”
Another local voice said, “Authorities must take this seriously. People cannot be allowed to threaten others openly.”
The video has led to widespread reactions, with many users asking whether enough is being done to protect minorities from harassment and hate speech.
So far, there has been no official statement publicly addressing the incident in detail. However, residents say there is a need for quick action to prevent such situations from repeating.
Community members have emphasised that individuals like Qutbuddin rely on daily earnings and travel long distances to support their families. Any such incident not only affects one individual but also creates fear among others in similar work.
As the video continues to circulate, calls are growing for accountability and for steps to ensure that everyone, regardless of religion, can work without fear.
