NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD — In yet another worrying example of growing hostility against Muslims in the country, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal forced Muslim hawkers to shut down their shops and leave the Sabarmati area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, simply because of their religious identity.
The incident took place on 22 November, and its video is now circulating widely on social media. In the footage, right-wing workers can be seen targeting a Muslim hawker wearing a cap and sporting a beard, preventing him from setting up his utensils stall. They tell him that Muslims are not welcome there and accuse him of coming “from outside” to earn a living. The man can be seen silently packing his goods, clearly distressed and helpless.
One of the witnesses in the market told local residents, “They told the hawker he had no place here because he is a Muslim. This is not business, this is bullying. The man did nothing wrong.”
According to people familiar with the matter, Bajrang Dal members warned the hawkers not to return. This open intimidation has triggered anger among Muslims, who say they are being pushed out of public spaces and deprived of basic rights.
A local Muslim shopkeeper who watched the scene unfold said, “We are citizens of this country. The Constitution allows us to work anywhere. Why are we being treated like outsiders?”
The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to work, trade and live with dignity. Article 19(1)(g) clearly states that all citizens have the right to pursue any profession or carry on any occupation or business. Yet, many Muslims say that these rights are becoming meaningless for them.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.