Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 4: A disturbing incident in Muzaffarnagar has triggered outrage ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, as a Muslim youth working at a highway-side dhaba was allegedly assaulted and publicly humiliated by members of a Hindu group for concealing his identity.

The youth, identified as Tajammul, had been working at the "Pandit Ji Vaishno Dhaba" under the name "Gopal" — a decision he claims was taken under pressure from the dhaba owner to avoid trouble during the religious pilgrimage season. “Sharma ji told me to go by Gopal, and I did it out of fear,” said Tajammul while speaking to NDTV. He added that he wore a kada for three months and attempted to blend in, wary of being singled out.

The incident took a violent turn on June 28 when Swami Yashveer Ji Maharaj and his supporters reportedly visited the eatery as part of an “identification campaign.” According to them, such campaigns are meant to ensure Kanwar Yatris are served only by Hindu-run establishments. When confronted and asked for identification, Tajammul was allegedly unable to present documents, prompting a physical assault by the group. “They pulled my pants down. They beat me and I was crying,” he recounted.

Following the confrontation, video footage surfaced showing the humiliating ordeal. The dhaba has since been shut down. Muzaffarnagar police have summoned six individuals linked to the incident — Sumit Bahraghi, Rohit, Vivek, Sumit, Sunny, and Rakesh — all reportedly associated with the Yoga Sadhana Ashram in Baghra, run by Swami Yashveer.

The episode has sparked fierce debate over religious profiling and vigilantism during the Kanwar Yatra season. It also brings renewed attention to a controversial directive by the Uttar Pradesh government mandating that all food vendors along the yatra route display their food licenses and disclose the religious identity of the proprietors.

While the state maintains the move promotes transparency, critics argue it fuels communal tensions and legitimizes targeting of minorities. Opposition leaders have demanded immediate action and called the incident a chilling reminder of the rising religious intolerance being normalized in the name of tradition and faith.