NEW DELHI — A video showing women spray-painting an anti-Muslim message on the Delhi–Dehradun National Highway in Uttar Pradesh has sparked outrage after circulating widely on social media.
The incident occurred in the Bihari Garh police station area near Mohand, close to the Saharanpur border. In the 59-second clip, two women are seen spray-painting messages on the railing and cement barriers along an elevated stretch of National Highway-72A.
The slogans, written in both Hindi and English, read: “This road is not for Muslims” and “Yeh sadak Musalmanon ke liye nahin hai.”
Hindu Rashtra Dal Claims Responsibility
The group Hindu Rashtra Dal has claimed responsibility for the act. Its national president, Pinky Chaudhary, released a video statement endorsing the message.
In the video, he says, “On the Delhi–Dehradun highway, my workers have written that roads are not for Muslims.”
He adds, “They have written correctly. Everyone should know how large the Muslim population is in this country and how much tax they pay.”
He further states, “The government should consider why the benefits of our tax money are being given to these people.”
Call to Deny Government Benefits
In the same statement, Chaudhary calls for Muslims to be denied access to government schemes and facilities.
“All government benefits given to Muslims should be stopped,” he says.
He also claims, “Hindus pay all the taxes and arrange all facilities in the country. Governments are formed with Hindu votes, but the benefits are given to these people.”
He warns, “If the government does not stop this, we will not tolerate it. We will protest with full strength.”
The remarks have drawn criticism from several quarters, with many describing them as divisive and contrary to constitutional principles.
In the viral clip, two young women wearing saffron scarves are seen standing beside an iron railing on the highway. One spray-paints the message in English, while the other writes in Hindi. A young man appears to be recording the act.
After completing the graffiti, both women are heard raising religious slogans. A red car bearing a Uttarakhand registration plate is visible toward the end of the video.
Following the circulation of the video, Saharanpur police said they had taken cognisance of the matter and were working to identify those involved.
A police officer stated, “We have taken note of the viral video. The matter is under investigation, and action will be taken in accordance with the law.”
No arrests had been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Concern Among Local Residents
Members of the Muslim community in Saharanpur expressed shock and concern over the incident.
“How can someone say a public road is not for Muslims? We are citizens of this country. We pay taxes like everyone else,” a local resident said.
Another community elder remarked, “This kind of message spreads fear. It makes people feel unsafe in their own country.”
Several residents noted that national highways are public property funded by taxpayers from all communities.
“This road belongs to every Indian,” a shopkeeper near the area said. “No group can claim it for one religion.”
The incident has once again brought attention to concerns over hate speech and discrimination in public spaces. In recent years, there have been repeated reports of religiously charged slogans, social media posts and public statements targeting minority communities.
Legal experts note that such acts could attract charges under laws related to promoting enmity between communities and defacing public property.
A lawyer in Saharanpur said, “Writing such messages on a national highway is not only illegal but also harmful to social harmony.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are under pressure to take action. Meanwhile, the episode has heightened concerns among residents about safety, equality and the protection of constitutional rights.
