Muslim Street Vendors Allegedly Harassed, Forced to Chant Religious Slogans in Odisha
Videos circulating online show separate incidents of assault and intimidation, raising concerns over communal targeting.
In separate incidents reported from Odisha, Muslim street vendors were allegedly harassed and assaulted by right-wing groups, triggering concerns over the safety of minority communities in public spaces under the BJP-led state government headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
One incident, captured in a video widely shared on social media, shows a Muslim vendor being confronted by a group identified as Hindutva supporters. In the footage, one man is seen holding a sharp wooden object close to the vendor’s face while verbally abusing him. The aggressor allegedly used derogatory language, including insults directed at the vendor’s mother, and demanded that he chant the slogan “Jai Shri Ram.”
Visibly frightened, the vendor complied with the demand in an apparent attempt to avoid further violence. The video has drawn criticism for highlighting what rights groups describe as coercive tactics used to force religious expressions on individuals from minority communities.
In another incident reported from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, members of the Bajrang Dal allegedly assaulted a Muslim street vendor. According to reports and videos circulating online, the vendor was accused of being a “Bangladeshi,” subjected to physical violence and forced to chant religious slogans.
The victim was reportedly beaten with sticks and other objects while being verbally abused. Observers say the attack appeared to be motivated by the vendor’s religious identity, reflecting a pattern of vigilante actions against Muslim traders.
Both incidents have been widely shared on social media platforms, sparking outrage and concern. Critics argue that such cases point to a growing trend of communal vigilantism, where minority vendors are targeted, often under accusations of being outsiders or illegal migrants.
Questions have also been raised over the response of law enforcement agencies. In several such cases, police action has reportedly been slow or limited, fuelling concerns about the protection of migrant workers and minority communities operating in markets and public areas.
These incidents have intensified worries about rising communal tensions in Odisha, with civil society groups calling for prompt investigations, accountability for those involved, and stronger measures to uphold constitutional values of equality and secularism.
