HALDWANI — Communal tensions have resurfaced in the hill town of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after a Hindu leader and his supporters forcibly altered the signboards of Muslim-owned shops, accusing them of concealing their religious identity. The incident has sparked widespread concern among the local Muslim community, many of whom have run businesses in the area for decades without issue.
The controversy centres around Hindu leader Vipin Pandey, who recently led a group through the town, removing or altering shop signs and insisting that Muslim business owners must openly display their religious identity. His remarks have raised fears of deepening religious division in the state.
“Work in the name of your Allah, not God,” Vipin Pandey said publicly, claiming that Muslims were using neutral or Hindu-sounding names to attract customers and hide their religion.
He further alleged, “We have the right to know which religion the shopkeeper belongs to. There are complaints that some people are spitting in food – in bread and juice. We don’t want that.”
Such unverified allegations have added to the existing tension, with community members calling the statements dangerous and inflammatory.
Pandey also targeted a local sweet shop, ‘Sai Sweets’, stating that names associated with Hindu saints were being misused by non-Hindu owners. “If you are proud of your identity, then write it clearly on your board. Don’t hide it,” he said, while demanding that shop names reflect the owner’s faith.
For many Muslims in Haldwani, the episode has stirred both anger and fear. One local businessman, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said, “We have been doing business here for over 20 years. No one ever had a problem. What is happening in this country today?”
He questioned the authority of people like Pandey to interfere in private businesses. “Only police or government officers can ask someone to show their ID. No ordinary man has that right. What right does he have to ask anyone their religion?” the shopkeeper added.
Another Muslim resident remarked, “This is nothing but an attempt to divide people. Shops should be known for their honesty and service, not the religion of the owner.”
Adding another layer to the story, Haldwani Mayor Gajraj Singh Bisht, from the ruling BJP, made a controversial claim linking the growth of Muslim-owned restaurants and hotels to what he called a larger plan.
“A conspiracy is being hatched in the name of business, especially in the hills. When the administration conducts raids, illegal activities are being exposed,” he said.
He praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for implementing new land laws in Uttarakhand, stating that this would benefit the state by protecting it from “outsiders”. His comments have been seen by some as fuelling communal suspicion.
So far, senior leaders of the ruling party have remained silent on the issue. Civil society activists and opposition parties have condemned the incident, saying it reflects the rising pressure on minority communities in India.
“This is religious harassment, plain and simple,” said a local social worker. “No one should be forced to reveal their religion to do business. This is not what our Constitution allows.”
Legal experts have also warned that such actions could be illegal. “Interfering with someone’s signboard or asking them to declare their faith in public goes against the spirit of the Indian Constitution. This is dangerous,” said retired judge Justice R. Ahmad.
Several shopkeepers said they are now afraid to open their businesses or use their names on signboards. Some are considering removing signs altogether to avoid trouble.
“We are only here to earn a living, not to fight. But they are forcing us into a corner,” said a bakery owner. “Our children are scared. People now hesitate to even enter our shops. Is this the India we knew?”
The incident has drawn attention to the growing use of religious identity in business and public life, with fears that this could spread to other parts of Uttarakhand and beyond.
As of now, no police case has been filed against Vipin Pandey or his group, despite public videos and media reports showing the forced removal of signboards. Authorities have remained largely silent, even as community leaders demand action.
“The administration must act fast, or this will get worse. People need protection, not threats. Religion is personal – not something to be tested by mobs on the street,” said advocate Shabnam Rizvi, a local lawyer.
