Bajrang Dal leader booked for alleged assault on Kashmiri shawl vendor in Uttarakhand

A video of the incident went viral on social media platforms

A Kashmiri shawl vendor was allegedly assaulted by a group of Bajrang Dal activists in Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, after they learnt that he was from the valley. They even tried to force him to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.

Bilal Ahmed Ganie, who hails from Kupwara, had been visiting Kashipur for eight years and had never encountered such a situation earlier.

Police have registered a complaint in connection with the alleged assault, with Bajrang Dal leader Ankur Singh identified as the prime accused.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) took to social media platform X and said the complaint has now been formally taken on record. According to the group, Inspector General of Police (Kumaon Region) Riddhim Agarwal informed them that police teams have been dispatched and search operations are underway, with arrests expected soon.

“We welcome this development and urge the Uttarakhand Police to ensure swift action, fair investigation, and strict punishment for all those involved so that justice is delivered to the victim and such incidents are not repeated in the future. The safety and dignity of Kashmiri traders and all minorities must be protected, and the rule of law must prevail," Nasir Khuehami, national media coordinator of the JKSA, said in a statement.

The incident took place on December 22 when 28-year-old Bilal Ganie was selling shawls door-to-door in Kashipur. A video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, showing Ganie being beaten and forced to chant slogans.

"They asked my name and where I was from. When I said Kashmir, they started beating me with kicks and punches. One of them hit my legs with a cane, and I fell to the ground. They asked me to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. I said I would proudly say ‘Hindustan Zindabad' as this is our country," Ganie told Times of India. He said that the men tried to force him onto their motorcycle but fled after passersby intervened.