Muslim-Run Dhaba in Kurukshetra Vandalised, ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ Recited

A restaurant called ‘Punjabi Dhaba’ was run by a Muslim man in Kurukshetra, Haryana. It is alleged that, objecting to very name of it, people associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal attacked the dhaba (eatery) even as police remained a mute spectator

As per reports, the Hindutva men broke chairs, ruined the food and other items, chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’, recited the Hanuman Chalisa, and also delivered communal speeches. A purported video of the entire incident is circulating on social media and police is seemingly a spectator.

The incident occurred on the evening of March 24. It is alleged that the mob was led by one Rakesh Kathwad, who claims to be a regional leader of VHP. In a video of the incident, Kathwad is heard claiming that the dhaba owner is Muslim and is operating it under a changed name. He further claims that by concealing his religious identity, the dhaba owner is hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus and attracting them to his dhaba.

A Bajrang Dal leader is heard saying, "Kurukshetra is a religious city. We have warned people from other communities several times earlier also that they should run their business by writing their religion or name in front of their shop

Kathwad is also heard alleging that meat and fish is served at the dhaba. In the video, he is seen speaking hatefully, saying, "‘Vidharmis’ (heretics) are running businesses here using Hindu names like 'Sugandh Dhaba', 'Punjabi Dhaba', etc. Even during Navratri, these are open and meat is being sold openly. We even avoid garlic and onions in these days. This ‘Punjabi Dhaba’ belongs to a Sikh brother who has rented it out to a Muslim. I'd even tell him to remember what these people did to your Sikh gurus.”

In the video, Hindutva organisations are openly heard threatening that no one should rent a shop or house to Muslim people, otherwise “you yourself will be responsible for further action.”

A Hindu shopkeeper nearby condemned the incident to this writer, calling it an act of hooliganism. On the condition of anonymity, the shopkeeper said, "This is hooliganism. No one here hides their identity. We've known Mushtaq Bhai (the dhaba owner's name) for 35 years. The allegations of meat and fish are completely false. Even if someone smokes a beedi at this dhaba, food is not served to him. These people created such a ruckus, threw away prepared food and caused so much destruction that we were horrified. They threw the gas cylinder out of the shop with such force that it could have caused a major accident and even neighbouring shops could be affected."

This writer couldn't speak to Mushtaq Ali, who runs the dhaba, but his brother, Irshad Ali, said, "These people were just playing politics by spreading hatred in the name of religion. They were creating chaos by telling lies."

Meanwhile, a social organisation of Haryana, ‘Jan Sangharsh Manch Haryana’ immediately spoke out against this vandalism, staged a powerful protest and submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police, Kurukshetra, demanding strict action against the vandals. A team from Jan Sangharsh Manch Haryana also visited the site and spoke with local residents.

The organisation's general secretary, Sudesh Kumari, said, "These Hindutva organisations are disrupting communal harmony and spreading hatred based on religion in society. They are having the back of government and administration. India is a secular country, where people of any religion can operate their business under any name. It's not a crime for a Muslim to run a dhaba under the name 'Punjabi Dhaba.' This action by Hindu fundamentalist organisations is certainly a punishable offense.”

Kumari said as for the alleged sale of meat and fish at dhabas in Kurukshetra city, if it violates any law, it is the responsibility of the police and the courts to investigate and take action. Who are these people to go to shops or dhabas, vandalise them and issue threats? Will the city be ruled by law or communal organisations? Police's mute spectatorship in the face of such riot-inciting forces is deeply regrettable and concerning."

In his complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Malkit Singh, the real owner of Punjabi Dhaba made accusations that these organisations had orchestrated this vandalism at the behest of the owners of the adjacent Tirupati Hotel. He wrote in his complaint that people come to stay at his hotel “but eat food in our dhaba, which is why the hotel owners had problem with my dhaba.”

Social and political activist, Advocate Kavita Vidrohi said, "Actually, these people are blind not only by hatred but also by wisdom. Just as in Uttarakhand such organisations were claiming the word 'Baba' to be Hindu, they see Hindu and Muslim in every name. The communal violence perpetrated by such organisations is a matter of concern in the state, especially in Kurukshetra. These organizations have previously committed anti-Muslim violence. “

Citing some such incidents, she said, “These are same people who assaulted Kashmiri Muslim shopkeepers at 'Gita Jayanti' fair held in the city in December 2024.  Last year also, after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, organisations like Bajrang Dal beat up and chased away Muslim street vendors in the name of religion. The police administration does not take any action against them, which has emboldened them. We even filed complaints with evidence against previous incidents with the police, but no concrete action was taken."

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Punjab. This is his own translation of the original published in Hindi.