Bajrang Dal targets Muslim family over prayers at private home
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Siasat.
Rishikesh: A Muslim man in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, was confronted by Bajrang Dal members after Friday prayers, with the Hindutva group accusing him of converting his residence into a mosque and objecting to religious gatherings being held at the premises, according to a Siasat report.
The incident took place on July 3 in the Gumaniwala area of Dehradun district, where Bajrang Dal workers confronted Mohammad Idris and his family after prayers. The group questioned a worshipper who had attended the gathering, demanded his identity details and raised objections after learning that he was from Bihar.
The Bajrang Dal members later confronted Idris, alleging that people from other states and districts, along with an Imam from outside the area, were being invited to conduct prayers at his home. The confrontation, recorded and shared online by Uttarakhand Bajrang Dal leader Naresh Uniyal, showed members of the group arguing with Idris and his family.
Members of Bajrang Dal confronted a Muslim man following Friday namaz on July 4 and accused him of converting his home into a mosque in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand's Dehradun district. pic.twitter.com/qtcRaxaT4p
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) July 6, 2026
The incident has drawn criticism over the targeting of a private religious gathering and the intimidation of a Muslim family. The group accused Idris of holding “illegal” prayers and claimed that such gatherings could lead to demographic changes in the neighbourhood. It also alleged that Idris’s son threatened members during the confrontation.
Bajrang Dal members further claimed that religious structures had previously come up on private properties after similar gatherings and argued against the presence of mosques or activities linked to other religions in Rishikesh.
Police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. A Rishikesh Sub-Inspector said no complaint regarding the incident had been registered at the police station and that the video footage would be examined.