In Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district, more than 20 activists, including the district president of the youth wing of a Hindu outfit, have been booked for allegedly vandalizing a non-vegetarian roadside eatery. The incident occurred on Monday near Sisona village along the Delhi-Dehradun national highway, within the jurisdiction of the Chapar police station.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the case was registered by the police based on a complaint filed by the dhaba owner, identified as Azad. Circle Officer Ravishankar confirmed that the First Information Report (FIR) names over 20 activists of the Hindu Raksha Dal, along with its district youth wing president, Hemant Sharma, as accused in the vandalism incident. An investigation into the matter has commenced.
According to the complainant, Azad, a group of more than two dozen individuals reportedly stormed his dhaba on Monday. The alleged attackers are said to have removed the establishment’s flex signboard and subsequently set it on fire. The mob also reportedly assaulted the dhaba’s employees and caused damage to the property. The motive cited for the alleged attack was a threat that the non-vegetarian eatery would not be permitted to operate on the route designated for the upcoming Kawad Yatra, an annual pilgrimage that is scheduled to commence in a few months.
The Kawad Yatra is a significant religious procession undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, typically during the Hindu month of Shravana. Participants, known as Kawariyas, travel on foot to collect holy water from sacred rivers, which they then carry back to their local Shiva temples. The route and conduct of such religious processions are often sensitive matters, and local authorities typically make elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth passage and maintain law and order.
The incident in Muzaffarnagar highlights tensions that can arise in areas where establishments selling non-vegetarian food operate near routes or locations associated with religious activities. Such events often prompt discussions regarding community sensitivities, law enforcement’s role in mediating disputes, and the protection of both property and individuals. Police officials stated that further action would be taken based on the ongoing investigation and the evidence collected.
The booked activists belong to the Hindu Raksha Dal, an organization that has been involved in various social and cultural campaigns. The incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in balancing differing community interests and ensuring that public order is maintained, especially in the lead-up to major religious events. The investigation is expected to involve recording statements from witnesses, examining CCTV footage if available, and gathering further evidence to corroborate the allegations made by the dhaba owner.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
