In Ghoti-Nandora village, under Lanji police station in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, 10 Muslim families are reportedly being boycotted by the wider village community. Villagers allege that following inflammatory speeches against Muslims at a Hindu conference in January, these families were cut off from daily transactions, services, and work, creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.
According to locals, the conference called on residents to avoid buying food or goods from Muslims and to conduct all transactions exclusively within the Hindu community. “After that, a sudden change appeared in the social structure of the village. Families who have lived together for years started to distrust each other,” a villager was quoted as saying by Mooknayak.
The boycott has had severe economic consequences. Bus driver Asif Hussain was stopped from driving the school bus, his only source of income, while electrician Sadiq Hussain has been unemployed for a week because locals refused him work. Residents say the disruption of livelihoods is a deliberate effort to force Muslim families to leave the village.
Daily services have also been affected. Grocery shops reportedly refused to sell essentials to Muslim families, and barbers refused to cut hair or beards. “This is not just about economics; it is an attack on human dignity,” said one villager. Women and children are particularly affected, with children afraid to go to school and women living in constant fear. Khairun Nisha, a resident, said, “When I tried to discuss the statements made at the conference, the atmosphere became even more tense. We have never seen anything like this before.”
Former MLA Kishore Samrite condemned the boycott, calling it a clear violation of constitutional rights. “The Union Home Ministry should investigate this matter immediately. A police flag march and judicial inquiry are necessary to restore law and order,” Samrite said. He added that the village sarpanch, secretary, and some district representatives appear to support the boycott, with religious flags being displayed at temples and key intersections to further inflame tensions.
Samrite warned that if authorities fail to act impartially, the situation could threaten both law and order and social harmony. “This social exclusion is illegal and undermines the fundamental principles of equality, freedom, and dignity guaranteed by our Constitution,” he said.
