BJP’s Muslim-Hatred Policies Spark Communal Harassment of Kashmiri Traders in Himachal Pradesh

In yet another display of India’s growing communal divide, traders from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in Surjanpur village, Himachal Pradesh, became victims of harassment fueled by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) divisive agenda. The chilling incident underscores the worsening plight of minorities and marginalized communities under BJP rule.

Senior National Conference leader and Indian parliamentarian Agha Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the incident, linking it directly to the BJP’s polarizing policies. Two Kashmiri traders were targeted by the wife of a local Sarpanch in an incident that went viral on social media. The woman is seen threatening the traders, coercing them to chant the Hindu nationalist slogan “Jai Shri Ram,” and calling for a boycott of their products. Her inflammatory rhetoric included statements like, “Do not come to Himachal. This land belongs to Hindus; you will not be allowed to sell here.”

The incident is a glaring reflection of the hostile environment created by BJP’s ideology, where minority communities are routinely targeted. Agha Ruhullah, in a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter), demanded strict legal action against the woman, questioning whether the rule of law still existed in India. “If there is any part of India that still upholds the law, this woman should be booked,” he asserted.

Mehdi further criticized the BJP’s brand of nationalism, calling out its hollow claims of integrating Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. He pointed out the hypocrisy in India’s democratic fabric, stating, “The idea of India promoted by the BJP is evident in this 2-3 minute video. IIOJK is not part of India. Too much for the ‘integration of Kashmir.’”

This incident also highlights a disturbing trend in BJP-ruled states, where religious identity seems to dictate one’s acceptance as a citizen. Mehdi remarked, “The criteria for holding Indian citizenship seems to be chanting a slogan of a particular religion.” Such incidents reveal the BJP’s systematic attempt to marginalize and disenfranchise minority communities while perpetuating its Hindutva ideology.

The video of the harassment has sparked outrage across social media, with activists and politicians criticizing the government for fostering an environment of hate. The BJP’s silence on such incidents further emboldens individuals promoting communal discord.

India’s global image as a secular democracy is rapidly deteriorating, with incidents like this highlighting the erosion of constitutional values. The need for accountability and immediate intervention is paramount.