The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has strongly condemned the assault on a Kashmiri seasonal shawl seller in Uttarakhand, saying that such attacks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. A senior MHA official stated, “Kashmiri traders are equal Indian citizens, constitutionally entitled to work anywhere in India. The Ministry has taken strong note of the incident and made it clear that such acts against shawl sellers will not be tolerated at any cost.”
The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 22, 2025, when Bilal Ahmad Ganie, 28, a shawl seller from Kupwara, Kashmir, was conducting door-to-door sales in the Kashipur area of Udham Singh Nagar district. Bilal, who has been selling shawls in Uttarakhand for over eight winters, was well known locally as a peaceful and non-disruptive presence.
According to police, the attack was led by Ankur Singh, a local Bajrang Dal leader, along with four others. Bilal was physically assaulted, verbally abused, threatened with death, and forcibly made to chant slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” while being attacked. Officials said the case initially faced attempts at an informal settlement through a “mafinama” (apology letter) at Goshala Police Chowki, which delayed formal registration. However, after a video of the assault went viral and drew widespread public outrage, the MHA directed the Uttarakhand administration to ensure strict enforcement of the law.
Following the directive, the Uttarakhand Director General of Police, Deepam Seth, and the Governor prioritized the case. Law enforcement agencies launched a coordinated operation, arresting three accused so far, with further arrests expected as the investigation continues. An FIR (No. 517/2025) has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of criminal intimidation, assault, hurt, threat to life, coercion, and abusive acts, reflecting the gravity of the offence.
A senior police official said the investigation is being conducted in “mission mode” and added, “No pressure or settlement attempt will derail the prosecution. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure justice is delivered transparently and expeditiously.” The authorities have stressed that the probe will proceed strictly on merit to identify all accused and establish full legal accountability.
