In a disturbing incident in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh, a Muslim youth was allegedly stopped from offering Friday namaz on the road by local Sanjay Singh Chauhan, who identifies as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter. Chauhan reportedly caught hold of the young man’s hand and prevented him from praying.
A video of the confrontation has gone viral on social media. The Muslim man had come to visit his grandmother, who is admitted at AIIMS Rishikesh.
After the visit, he was heading to his uncle Hafiz Danish’s house when the altercation occurred.
In the footage, the youth claims Chauhan misbehaved with him and demanded proof of identity. Chauhan repeatedly labelled him an “outsider” and refused to relent despite attempts by local Hindus to calm the situation. The episode has sparked discussions on communal harmony and public behaviour in the pilgrim town.