Muslim Street Vendor Allegedly Forced Out of Ahmedabad Locality, Video Sparks Outrage
Incident in Gujarat raises concerns over religious discrimination in public livelihoods.
A street food vendor in Ahmedabad’s Bapunagar area has reportedly been forced to leave a residential locality after being confronted over his religious identity.
The vendor, identified as Shahjahan, was approached by a group of men on April 8. The individuals, said to be associated with Bajrang Dal, questioned him about his name and background. After checking his Aadhaar card, they allegedly told him that only Hindus were allowed to run businesses in the neighbourhood and asked him to leave immediately.
A video of the confrontation surfaced on social media on April 12, drawing widespread attention and criticism. In the clip, the men can be seen questioning the vendor and instructing other street sellers not to operate in the area.
Critics have described the incident as an example of religious vigilantism and exclusion, raising concerns about the safety and rights of minority communities engaged in informal work.
Similar incidents have been reported from other parts of the country in recent months. In Ludhiana, Punjab, a Muslim band performer was reportedly confronted over police verification requirements. In Rajasthan, a vendor named Salim and his associate were allegedly stopped and told to obtain official clearance before continuing their work.
These repeated episodes have intensified discussions around religious discrimination in public spaces and access to livelihoods. So far, authorities have not released any official statement regarding the Ahmedabad incident.