Shimla: Two Muslim men were allegedly dragged through the streets of Sanjauli in Himachal Pradesh’s capital by members of the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, a VHP-affiliated outfit, in an incident that has triggered allegations of mob vigilantism and communal targeting, Siasat reported.
The incident occurred on June 6 after a family filed a complaint under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a 22-year-old tailor from Uttar Pradesh, accusing him of misconduct involving a 16-year-old girl. Police arrested the accused and registered a case under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
However, according to police, the two Muslim men who were publicly paraded through the market had no connection to the complaint. Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed the men being humiliated in public, while CCTV cameras at their shop were allegedly damaged. Authorities confirmed that neither individual was named by the complainant or her family.
Police subsequently arrested Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti co-convenors Madan Thakur and Vijay Sharma in connection with the incident. The following day, supporters of the outfit blocked the Sanjauli-Shimla road, demanding their release. Police warned of strict action against those spreading misinformation.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of the outfit’s activities and its repeated attempts to link criminal allegations involving individuals to broader claims of so-called “love jihad”, a conspiracy theory promoted by Hindu nationalist groups.
The organisation has previously faced controversy over actions targeting Muslims. In November 2025, Thakur and Sharma were arrested after allegedly preventing Muslim worshippers from entering the Sanjauli mosque and obstructing Friday prayers. The group has also organised protests demanding mosque demolitions and the abolition of the Waqf Board, while campaigning against Muslim religious institutions across Himachal Pradesh.