‘Forced to write names on shops’: Minority community members in Rudrapur allege threats by right-wing groups

Rudrapur: Tension simmered in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district after members of the Muslim community alleged harassment by right-wing groups. On Monday, several members of the minority community in district headquarters Rudrapur met Udham Singh Nagar SP Uttam Singh, claiming that members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal had been threatening minority traders following the recent communal violence in Nainital, and pressuring them to write their names outside their shops.The controversy erupted two days ago when VHP and Bajrang Dal workers started visiting establishments across Rudrapur, particularly in the Transit Camp area, instructing shop owners to put up signboards with their name. They alleged that many establishments were being run by members of one community using names associated with another, which they claimed was "misleading to customers."On Sunday, VHP district dharma prasar pramukh Sultan Singh led a group to a local dhaba in Transit Camp, alleging it was being run under a name associated with another community. "If shopkeepers do not display their real names, we will submit a formal complaint to the district magistrate and demand strict action," Singh is alleged to have said.President of the city traders' union, Sanjay Juneja, condemned the move, calling it "a deliberate attempt to disturb peace." "Our town has always stood as a symbol of communal harmony. But a few politically-motivated people are trying to fracture this unity by spreading hate and targeting the minority community. This is not acceptable."Following the meeting, SP Uttam Singh told the delegation that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. "No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Action will be taken based on facts," he said.