Dehradun, Sep 12: Dehradun’s bustling Paltan Bazaar witnessed an unexpected shutdown on Tuesday after right-wing groups and local residents called for the removal of Muslim traders from the area. The tension escalated following an allegation by a Hindu woman that a Muslim worker in a shoe shop had “misbehaved” with her, reported The Times of India.
In response to the growing unrest, police launched a verification drive, detaining 134 hawkers and handcart pullers deemed “suspicious individuals” for failing to produce valid identification. These individuals, who were working in the market, were taken into custody and questioned at police lines.
The controversy began when the woman accused Umer Dawood, a 24-year-old salesman from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, of inappropriate conduct. This led to widespread protests, with demands for Muslim traders to vacate rented shops in the area. The protests were primarily driven by members of right-wing groups, who supported the woman’s claims and demanded immediate action.
In response, police registered a case against Umer Dawood under sections 74 (assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75(2) (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya National Statute (BNS). Dawood was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh stated that the verification drive was conducted to check the credentials of individuals from outside the state who were working in the market. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from shopkeepers during the verification process, warning them of potential legal consequences if they hire employees without proper documentation.
To ensure the safety of women in the market, the police have also decided to deploy women officers in plain clothes, aiming to prevent any further incidents of misconduct.
Amidst the rising communal tensions, the minority body Muslim Seva Sangathan has expressed concern over what it perceives as government inaction. The organization has decided to approach the Uttarakhand High Court, appealing for protection of minority rights and seeking intervention to prevent further escalation of the situation.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on the safety and rights of minority communities in the region, with local leaders calling for peace and harmony to be maintained in the diverse city of Dehradun.
