Women who graffitied 'Muslims not allowed' on highway become Hindutva icons

Meerut: Shradha Rajput and Sandhya Rajput, the two women who spray-painted anti-Muslim graffiti on a crash barrier along the Uttarakhand-Delhi highway, have reportedly emerged as local Hindutva figures following the incident.

On the night of February 26, they filmed themselves writing the slogan that the road was not meant for Muslims. A first information report was later filed against them. In a conversation with ThePrint, the women reportedly described the FIR as a badge of honour, saying it symbolised their commitment to their cause. They claimed their actions were intended to awaken Hindus and protect them.

Identifying themselves as members of the Hindu Raksha Dal, the two said they had since attracted local support, with several young men joining them. They reportedly stated that their shared objective was to target Muslims and that they were particularly focused on preventing what they described as “love jihad,” claiming that their efforts had emboldened other supporters.

According to the report, their immediate focus was on intervening in a relationship between a Hindu woman and a Muslim man in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Shradha was quoted as saying that what she termed the task of “saving Hindus” required constant vigilance and travel, Siasat Daily reported.

ThePrint reported that their daily routine involved coordinating with volunteers and monitoring areas where Hindus and Muslims live in proximity or where Muslim-owned shops operate. They allegedly referred to such localities as “target areas” and used social media to track Muslim activity.

Although Sandhya has reportedly been associated with the organisation for a longer period, Shradha was described as wielding greater influence. She was quoted as saying that she was known for delivering hate speech directed at Muslims, while insisting she did not speak similarly about Hindus.

Shradha reportedly claimed that Uttarakhand, which she described as Devbhoomi, should not allow meat shops to operate and asserted that she had taken action against what she called illegal establishments.

The report noted that conversations with the two women largely revolved around Muslims, with remarks about Muslims allegedly fearing them or not paying taxes. While viewing social media videos, they were said to have made disparaging comments about Muslim women and expressed views that Muslims should leave India.

They reportedly justified the graffiti by claiming that Muslims should not use public roads if they did not contribute taxes, arguing that the infrastructure was built through the hard work of Hindus.

The women also claimed that they rarely travel alone and move in groups for security reasons. According to the report, they carry a licensed firearm, which they described as necessary for their protection in case of retaliation.

Neither woman reportedly has Muslim friends, and Shradha was quoted as saying she would prevent her daughters from forming such friendships, adding that her daughters largely stay indoors after witnessing her activities.

They were further quoted as saying that Muslims in India should live as “tenants,” suggesting they either accept that status, convert, or move to Pakistan. They also reportedly outlined what they considered acceptable conduct for Muslims, asserting that India is a country of Hindus and expressing their desire to see it become exclusively so.