Muslim Shopkeepers Targeted in Uttarakhand as Hindutva Group Launches Anti-Halal, Anti-Jihad Campaign.

Hindutva Group Targets Muslim-Owned Businesses in Uttarakhand, Cites Opposition to Halal Trade and Alleged Religious Funding linked to Jihadi Activities. 

Poornima Bist | HENB | RISHIKESH (Uttarakhand) | June 28, 2026:: Fresh reports of religious profiling have emerged from BJP-ruled Uttarakhand after members of a Hindutva organisation reportedly identified Muslim-owned businesses in the Hindu pilgrimage town of Rishikesh and questioned traders about their religious identity.

According to reports, members of the group entered commercial areas of Rishikesh this week and approached shopkeepers individually, asking for their names to determine their religious identity. Traders identified as Muslims were allegedly instructed to follow a set of directives regarding the operation of their businesses or face unspecified consequences.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly show members of the group confronting traders, checking whether they were complying with the instructions, and questioning them about their identities. The authenticity of all the videos and the full circumstances surrounding the incidents have not been independently verified.

Members of the Hindutva group justified their campaign by alleging that Muslim traders promote a “Halal business ecosystem” and claimed that financial contributions from sections of the Muslim community are used to support religious institutions such as mosques, mazars and madrasas in Uttarakhand. They further alleged that such activities are intended to gradually alter the cultural landscape of what they describe as “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.” These allegations have been substantiated through publicly available evidence linked to Jihadi rise in Uttarakhand.

The incident has sparked concerns among lawyers and civil rights activists, who questioned under what legal authority private individuals could inspect businesses, ascertain the religious identity of shop owners and issue directions affecting their commercial activities. They argued that such actions fall within the jurisdiction of lawful authorities and not private organisations.

The episode comes amid continuing scrutiny of self-styled Hindu vigilante groups operating in several Indian states. Such groups have frequently been accused of stopping vehicles, inspecting businesses, questioning citizens about their religious identity and targeting members of minority communities. Supporters of these groups, however, maintain that their campaigns are aimed at protecting Hindu religious interests, preventing alleged demographic changes and promoting what they describe as economic self-reliance among Hindus against Sharia proliferation.

The videos from Rishikesh triggered widespread debate on social media. Critics called for official intervention, arguing that targeting businesses on the basis of the owner’s religion undermines constitutional guarantees of equality before the law and the right to carry on lawful trade without intimidation. Many also warned that the increasing influence of self-styled vigilante groups reflects a growing challenge to the rule of law and public confidence in state institutions. Others, however, argued that the controversy reflects growing distrust between sections of the two communities. They alleged that the promotion of Halal-certified businesses and the expansion of Islamic religious institutions, including mosques and mazars, have fuelled suspicion among some Hindu residents, contributing to rising communal tensions. Critics of this view, however, maintain that such allegations should be addressed through lawful processes and supported by credible evidence rather than vigilante action or religious profiling.

At the time of writing, there was no official confirmation of any action by the Uttarakhand administration regarding the reported incidents, nor had authorities publicly announced any investigation into the conduct shown in the viral videos.
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_Agency Inputs.