In a disturbing incident highlighting rising communal tensions during the festive season, a petrol pump owner in Pune was allegedly threatened by members of right-wing groups for allowing her staff to wear Christmas-themed hats. The event, which occurred on December 23, has led to a police complaint and sparked a debate on religious freedom and intimidation.
Threats Over Festive Attire
Kavya Ladkat, the owner of an HPCL petrol pump located in the Bhavani Peth area of Pune, found herself at the center of controversy. According to her complaint filed at the Khadak police station, she received a threatening visit from individuals claiming affiliation with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The group objected to the Christmas caps worn by her employees as part of the festive decorations.
Ladkat recounted that her manager first received a phone call on Tuesday demanding the immediate removal of the hats. This was followed by a visit from a man identified as Vijay Kamble, who arrived with two to three associates. "They started threatening me," Ladkat told The Indian Express. "They said 'only Hindu dharm should be followed and these hats should be removed' and 'you should stay within the law'." The situation de-escalated only when Ladkat began recording a video of the confrontation.
Police Action and Denials
Following the incident, Ladkat approached the Khadak police station for protection and to file a formal complaint. The police registered a non-cognizable offence under Section 315(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which pertains to criminal intimidation. No First Information Report (FIR) was filed at this stage.
Inspector Shashikant Chavan of Khadak police station confirmed, "We have registered a non-cognizable offence and taken preventive action." However, the accused, Vijay Kamble, who identified himself as a VHP ward minister, denied the allegations of issuing threats. Kamble claimed they had received complaints from employees who felt forced to wear the Christmas hats and had merely gone to discuss the matter. "We were not able to say anything and the lady there started recording us," he stated.
Broader Context and Industry Practice
This incident in Pune is not isolated. It occurs against a backdrop of multiple reported attacks and acts of vandalism targeting Christmas decorations and celebrations in various cities across the country. The confrontation raises questions about the space for multicultural expressions in public and commercial spaces.
Providing context, Dhruv Ruparel, president of the Petrol Dealers Association of Pune, clarified that celebrating festivals is a standard practice encouraged by petroleum companies. "The petrol pumps celebrate all festivals throughout the year. The decoration is done as per the festival and there is nothing special in this," Ruparel explained. He added that the law enforcement authorities are best positioned to decide on the course of action if any wrongdoing is established.
During the argument, as seen in a video shared by Ladkat, the men were heard making references to preventing religious conversion and alluding to events in Bangladesh. Ladkat responded by asserting her inclusive stance, telling the group that they would be happy to wear 'phetas' (traditional Marathi turbans) for Padva (Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year) and skullcaps for Eid, emphasizing her belief in humanity over divisiveness.
