Ghaziabad: A man identified as a local functionary of the Rashtriya Hindu Veer Sena allegedly threatened an elderly Muslim shopkeeper in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, forcing him to shut his mutton shop on Tuesday, February 24, Siasat reported.
The incident occurred in Kaila Bhatta village under the jurisdiction of the Kotwali Police Station. The accused, identified as Satyam Pandit, reportedly objected to the sale of meat near a temple on Tuesdays and warned the shop owner of consequences if the establishment continued operations.
According to a video circulated on social media, Pandit approached the shop and questioned the owner about permission to sell meat on “Mangalwar” (Tuesday). He allegedly instructed the shopkeeper to close the outlet immediately, stating that the shop should not operate on Tuesdays due to its proximity to a temple. He was heard telling the owner to shut the shop at once and warning that he would have it closed if it remained open.
The video further shows the shopkeeper and his employees complying with the demand and moving their business activities inside the premises while Pandit continued issuing threats. He allegedly warned that if the shop was found open on a Tuesday again, he would set it on fire.
A day after the incident, Pandit shared the video on his Facebook account, claiming that he and others had ensured the closure of meat shops in the area on Tuesday and asserting that Muslims would not be allowed to sell meat in Ghaziabad on that day.
Police said they became aware of the incident through social media. The Station House Officer of Kotwali police station stated that officers were examining the matter and gathering information from the field. He added that no case had been registered so far and that further action would depend on the findings of the inquiry, according to the Siasat report.