Hindutva groups in Chhattisgarh’s Durg take out rally urging boycott of Muslim traders under ‘Our Festival, Our Business’ campaign; police inaction raises questions about rising intolerance and selective justice
DURG – Diwali, a festival symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, was overshadowed by a disturbing display of communal intolerance this year. On October 17, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal held a provocative rally in Chhattisgarh’s Durg under the campaign titled “Our Festival, Our Business.”
Instead of spreading the message of harmony and togetherness that Diwali stands for, participants in the rally shouted inflammatory slogans and called for a boycott of Muslim-owned shops. Posters carried by rally participants read chilling messages such as “If Hindu interests are harmed, blood will flow on the streets.”
Locals say the rally passed through several markets in Durg, including areas where Muslim traders traditionally sell diyas, sweets, and firecrackers during the festive season.
Despite the openly provocative nature of the rally, no action has yet been taken by the police. Locals allege that the authorities remained silent spectators. A resident of Durg, Mohammad Arif, expressed his dismay: “Diwali has always been a festival we celebrate together. I have Hindu friends who buy diyas from my shop every year. This time, I saw fear in their eyes. What message are we sending to the next generation?”
Another shopkeeper, Rafiq Khan, said that the campaign had directly affected his business. “We were preparing for Diwali sales for weeks. Suddenly, videos started circulating on social media asking Hindus not to buy from us. People stopped coming. This is not Diwali—it feels like darkness has taken over.”
Clips from the rally went viral across social media platforms, showing VHP and Bajrang Dal activists marching with saffron flags and chanting divisive slogans. Many accounts also circulated photos of Muslim shopkeepers selling diyas and firecrackers, urging Hindus to boycott them.
One such post read: “Don’t buy diyas from those who don’t celebrate Diwali.” The comments below were filled with hateful messages, reflecting how extremist groups continue to use social media to poison public sentiment. Across India, Diwali is known as a time when communities come together, share sweets, and light lamps of hope. Yet, incidents like the one in Durg paint a grim picture of the growing communal divide.
Prof Shamsuddin Ali, a social observer from Raipur, remarked: “What’s happening in Durg is not an isolated case. It reflects a dangerous trend where religious festivals are being weaponised to spread hate. Instead of celebrating light, some are promoting darkness in people’s hearts.”
He added that the administration’s silence only encourages such groups. “When those spreading hate face no consequences, others feel emboldened. It is the duty of the police and civil authorities to protect every citizen, regardless of religion.”
Local Muslim leaders in Durg have condemned the rally and appealed for calm. Maulana Abdul Rehman, an imam at a local mosque, urged people to remember the true spirit of Diwali: “Our Prophet taught us to respect the festivals of others. We should respond to hate with peace. I ask my Muslim brothers to stay patient and my Hindu brothers to stand against injustice.”
Many Muslims in Durg also emphasised that their livelihoods depend on festivals like Diwali, as they sell traditional lamps, sweets, and decorations. The boycott call, they said, has left them financially and emotionally devastated.
Despite public outrage and viral videos, the district administration and police have not issued any statement. Civil rights groups have criticised this inaction. Advocate Nasreen Khan, a human rights activist from Raipur, stated: “The Constitution of India guarantees equality and freedom of trade to all citizens. Allowing such rallies without consequence sends a message that hate speech is acceptable. If the police can arrest peaceful protesters, why can’t they act against those who threaten communal harmony?”
As videos of the rally continue to circulate, citizens across India are calling for accountability. Many believe that festivals should be a time for building bridges, not walls of hate.
A college student, Anjali Sharma, said: “We should be celebrating Diwali together, not dividing ourselves. My best friend is Muslim, and I always buy diyas from her family’s shop. These groups do not represent real Hindus.”
