Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (National Times): In a disturbing case of mob violence, a Sikh-owned motorcycle showroom in Rishikesh was attacked over a minor parking dispute. The Rajeet Royal Enfield Agency, run by two Sikh brothers, was vandalized as an angry mob pelted stones and physically assaulted the owners. Shockingly, during the attack, one of the victims had his turban forcibly removed, an act seen as a grave insult to Sikh religious beliefs.
Eyewitnesses report that the police remained passive observers, failing to intervene while the mob ransacked the shop and threatened the owners. This incident has sparked outrage within the Sikh community and beyond, with many raising concerns over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Uttarakhand.
The attack comes amid rising tensions and vigilante actions across Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with critics comparing the state’s trajectory to Uttar Pradesh, where mob justice often overshadows legal mechanisms. Social media users have also pointed out the hypocrisy of right-wing supporters, who recently defended a similar mob attack in Himachal Pradesh, but have remained silent on this targeted violence against Sikhs.
SGPC Writes to Uttarakhand CM, Demands Justice
Following the attack, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has issued a strongly worded letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding swift and strict action against those responsible.
In the letter, SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan described the attack as “shocking and unacceptable”, emphasizing that the removal of a Sikh’s turban is a direct attack on the Sikh identity and religious freedom.
The SGPC has urged the Uttarakhand government to:
- Immediately arrest and charge the attackers.
- Ensure the police take proactive steps to prevent communal violence.
- File an FIR under appropriate legal provisions, including hurting religious sentiments and mob violence laws.
The incident has sparked fears that minorities in Uttarakhand are increasingly becoming vulnerable to unchecked mob violence. The key question now is: Will the Uttarakhand government take decisive action, or will it allow such acts to go unpunished?
