Row of billboards in Uttarakhand: Civil society group writes to PM over ‘discrimination’ against Muslims | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In the wake of offensive signs appearing at the entrances of villages in various areas of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, a civil society group consisting of several retired civil servants and academics wrote on Monday to Prime Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami against alleged discrimination against Muslims. Villagers in various areas of Rudraprayag Districts have placed signs at the entrances to their villages prohibiting outside entry.
Billboards were put up in villages like Sirsi, Rampur-Nyalsu and others. Initially, the billboards read a ban on “non-Hindus” but the wording was later changed to “ban on outsiders” after police intervention, villagers said.
However, police later announced that the obstructive signs had been removed.
“The hoardings put up at six places in Guptkashi police station area were objectionable and have been withdrawn,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Prabodh Kumar Ghildiyal. People have been asked to social harmonyhe said.
In a letter to Dhami, Citizens for Brotherhood said that as concerned citizens of the country, they have been watching with dismay the news coming out of various places in Uttarakhand about “discrimination against Muslims, many of whom have been living and running businesses in Uttarakhand for decades”.
The letter was signed by, among others, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung and former AMU Vice Chancellor Zameer Uddin Shahincluding former MP Shahid Siddiqui and former tax inspector Syed Mahmood Akhter.
The Constitution does not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste or region, the letter said.
It encourages Indians to travel to other states and set up businesses but does not prevent them from doing so. This provides employment to locals and contributes to the economy, the letter to Dhami said.
“It (placing hoardings) puts our country in a bad light and gives those who are not friendly to us an opportunity to criticise us. How can we aspire to become world leaders if such incidents continue and are not nipped in the bud. The perpetrators of hatred, irrespective of their religion, should be arrested and strict action taken against them,” the letter said.
“We believe that the DMs and SPs in every district should be held accountable if no action is taken,” the civil society group said.