Shamli district police have booked 47 Hindu activists for allegedly making communal statements during a meeting aimed at demanding the closure of non-vegetarian hotels and restaurants. The incident occurred in Thanabhawan town on September 29, where the meeting was reportedly held without permission, according to police reports.
The gathering was led by Mahant Swami Yashvir of the Yog Sadhan Ashram Bhagra, who is among the individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR). Activists convened outside a local non-vegetarian hotel, insisting that all such establishments within a hundred metres of temples be shut down. During the protest, they were accused of chanting religious slogans and making provocative remarks against the Muslim community.
Station House Officer (SHO) Virender Kasana confirmed that a case has been registered against the 47 activists, including seven named individuals, under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The FIR was lodged on September 30, with Mahant Swami Yashvir explicitly identified as a key figure in the gathering.
In response to the police action, Hindu activists have announced plans to stage a protest on October 10 to oppose the charges against their fellow activists. The developments have sparked tensions in the community, with concerns about the impact of such protests on local relations.