Hindutva-affiliated groups in Uttarakhand’s Khansar town, in chamoli district, some 260 km from Dehradun, have issued an ultimatum to Muslim families and businesses, demanding their eviction from the region by December 31, 2024.
The announcement came during a meeting of the Vyapar Mandal (Traders’ Association) in Khansar, where two resolutions targeting the Muslim minority were passed on October 16.
According to Baldev Singh Negi, the president of the traders’ body, the resolutions were unanimously adopted to “safeguard the Hindu community.”
As per Negi, they are concerned about the “crimes against Hindu women” by Muslims since, he claimed, similar incidents have taken place in other towns of the state.
The meeting followed a Hindu Chetna Rally ( Awareness March), organized by the Vyapar Mandal, in Maithan market of Khansar on the same day.
The first resolution passed in the meeting seeks expulsion of all Muslim residents and business owners from the town, warning that both tenants and their landlords would face legal consequences and a fine of ₹10,000 if the Muslim families failed to vacate by the deadline.
Another directive seeks to impose a blanket ban on Muslim vendors and traders from doing business within the town’s area.
The situation in Khansar follows weeks of communal tensions in other parts of Chamoli district, including Gauchar, Nandghat, and Tharali.
In these areas, hate-fueled incidents have reportedly flared, targeting Muslim-owned businesses. On September 1, several Muslim shopkeepers were attacked and their establishments looted after allegations emerged that a Muslim barber had harassed a Hindu girl.
“None of us have ever been involved in any criminal activities,” a Muslim resident told The Observer Post under conditions of anonymity. “This ultimatum is not only an attempt to disrupt communal harmony but also is driven by vested business interests.”
The local police, however, appeared to be unaware of the situation.
Chamoli Superintendent of Police, Sarvesh Panwar said, the authorities had no prior knowledge of the ultimatum and would investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action, if necessary.
Uttarakhand, often referred to as Devbhoomi (land of gods) by Hindu-majoritarian groups, has seen increasing instances of religious discrimination against Muslims, who make up about 13% of the state’s population. Many Muslims in the region are compelled to change their names or hide their religious identities to avoid targeted harassment.
The town of Khansar consists of 11 village panchayats and over 4,000 Hindu families. Muslim families, many of whom have resided in the region for decades, are typically small traders and artisans—such as blacksmiths, barbers, and scrap dealers—who move door-to-door to sell their goods. However, they have recently become soft targets of right-wing Hindutva outfits.
In June 2023, a similar incident occurred in Purola, Uttarakhand, where Muslim shops and homes were vandalized following allegations of “love jihad.” Several Muslim families were forced to vacate the town after right-wing organizations held provocative rallies.
