Kotdwar Police Register Three FIRs Following Communal Tensions Over Shop Name
Police in Kotdwar, Dehradun, have registered three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) after members of a right-wing group gathered outside a Muslim trader's shop on January 26, demanding a change in its name. The incident escalated into a confrontation with a local gym owner, leading to allegations of assault, intimidation, and rioting, which have drawn significant public attention through social media.
Incident Details and Initial Confrontation
The incident began when approximately 30 to 40 members of the Bajrang Dal assembled outside the Baba School Uniform Centre in the town's Patel Road market. They allegedly objected to the use of the word "Baba" in the name of the Muslim-owned shop, citing religious grounds, and demanded that the trader change it. This sparked a heated exchange, during which Deepak Kumar, a gym owner from the nearby area, intervened. A video of Kumar confronting the group circulated widely on social media, garnering public support for his actions.
FIRs Filed and Legal Charges
Following the confrontation, three FIRs were registered by the police. The first case was filed based on a complaint by Bajrang Dal worker Kamal Pal, who alleged that Kumar, his friend Vijay Rawat, and an unidentified person assaulted him and fellow worker Gaurav Kashyap while they were conducting a public outreach activity near a mosque. Pal claimed that the trio took Rs 3,000, a wristwatch, and a mobile phone. Police invoked sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt, 351(2) for criminal intimidation, 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and 191(1) for unlawful assembly.
The second FIR was registered on the complaint of the shopkeeper's son, who alleged that four Bajrang Dal workers—Kashyap, Shakti Singh Gusain, and two unnamed persons—entered the shop and threatened his father with "serious consequences" if the name was not changed. This case includes charges under BNS sections 115(2), 333 for trespassing, 351(2), and 352.
The third FIR was filed by police after around 40 Bajrang Dal workers allegedly gathered outside Kumar's gym later in the day, blocking National Highway-534 for over an hour and raising communally provocative slogans. Sub-inspector Vinod Chaprana filed the complaint, leading to charges under BNS sections 121(2) for voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant, 126(2) for wrongful restraint, 191(2) for rioting, 196(2) for promoting enmity between religious groups, and 352 for criminal intimidation.
Police Response and Community Reactions
Sarvesh Panwar, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Pauri Garhwal, confirmed all three FIRs and stated that investigations are underway. He emphasized, "Separate cases were registered based on different complaints. Legal action will follow based on findings. Police carried out a flag march in Kotdwar on Saturday night to maintain peace. No fresh incident was reported."
Local traders in the area expressed surprise at the escalation, noting that the uniform shop had operated under the same name for years without controversy. One shopkeeper remarked, "We didn't expect it to become such an issue. Everyone works side by side in this market." Another added that Kumar, the gym owner, is known in the area for maintaining cordial ties across communities, highlighting the unexpected nature of the conflict.
The incident has raised concerns about communal harmony in Kotdwar, with authorities urging calm and promising thorough investigations to ensure justice and prevent further tensions.
