Hindutva activists accused workers of hiding their identities and pasted ‘Jihadist’ labels on their badges
NEW DELHI — Tension was reported at a Metro Shoes showroom in Dehradun in Uttarakhand after Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members entered the store and targeted Muslim employees during a heated confrontation that left staff members and customers terrified.
According to eyewitnesses, activists associated with the Hindutva organisations entered the showroom at the weekend and confronted two Muslim employees working inside the store. The activists allegedly accused the workers of “hiding their identities” to mislead Hindu customers.
Witnesses said the situation quickly became tense as slogans were raised inside the showroom and arguments broke out between the activists and staff members.
The protesters reportedly objected to the way the employees’ names were displayed on their badges and claimed this amounted to “cheating” Hindu buyers.
During the confrontation, activists allegedly pasted labels carrying the word “Jihadist” on the employees’ badges inside the showroom.
Eyewitnesses also said the activists questioned the company’s hiring practices and accused Muslim employees of cheating customers and stealing products. However, no evidence was publicly presented to support these allegations.
The incident reportedly caused panic among employees and customers present inside the showroom. Business activity at the store remained disrupted for a considerable time as frightened workers attempted to manage the situation.
One eyewitness said, “Employees looked terrified. Customers also became uncomfortable and some people left the showroom during the shouting and arguments.”
Another resident who claimed to be present nearby said the atmosphere became intimidating for Muslim workers.
“The employees were being singled out openly because of their Muslim identity. It created fear inside the showroom,” the witness said.
The incident has once again raised concerns among civil rights activists and members of the Muslim community about the increasing harassment of Muslims in workplaces and commercial spaces in different parts of India.
In recent years, several Muslim workers, traders and business owners have faced campaigns linked to narratives such as “love jihad”, “land jihad” and “economic jihad”, terms frequently promoted by sections of Hindutva organisations.
Critics say such campaigns deepen communal suspicion and create insecurity for ordinary Muslim citizens trying to work and earn a livelihood.
No official complaint or arrest had been confirmed at the time reports emerged regarding the Dehradun incident.
Attempts to seek comments from local police did not receive any response.
The management of the showroom had also not issued any public statement immediately after the incident.
The controversy comes at a time when incidents involving religious profiling and public targeting of Muslims have become increasingly visible in some parts of India, especially on social media and during public campaigns organised by right-wing groups.
Human rights observers have repeatedly warned that such incidents can create fear among minorities and damage communal harmony in workplaces and public institutions.
Locals in Dehradun said the authorities should ensure that commercial establishments remain safe spaces for all employees, regardless of religion.
A resident familiar with the area said, “People should be judged by their work and conduct, not by their names or religion. Such incidents create unnecessary tension in society.”
For now, the incident at the Metro Shoes showroom has become another flashpoint in the continuing debate over religious identity, workplace discrimination and the growing atmosphere of communal polarisation in parts of the country.
