Communally-charged signboards barring the entry of “non-Hindus and Rohingya Muslims” were put up in several areas of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand, triggering an outrage, following which the controversial posters were removed by the authorities.
“Warning: Non-Hindus, Rohingya Muslims and hawkers are prohibited from doing business/moving around in the village. If found anywhere in the village, punitive and legal action will be taken,” read the signboards put by “by order All Gram Sabha Nyalsu, District- Rudraprayag” which have gone viral on social media platforms.
According to reports, the contentious signboards came up in villages of Rudraprayag district, following the alleged molestation of Hindu girl by a barber in nearby Chamoli district last week. The minor girl had alleged that a barber from another community made obscene gestures at her in Chamoli’s Nandnagar area.
The incident had sparked protests as locals attempted to vandalise the shops belonging to persons from the other community, police said.
Locals said the boards have been put up to prevent “unknown individuals and unfamiliar vendors” from entering the villages, following incidents of theft in these areas, news agency PTI reported.
“The signboards were installed by villagers around 20-25 days ago following reports of outsiders being involved in thefts at temples and homes,” a resident of Fata village told PTI.
As per the PTI report, the signboard, which have been put up in Sirsi, Rampur-Nyalsu villages, among others, initially imposed a ban on the entry of “non-Hindus and Rohingya Muslims”, have now been rephrased to “ban on outsiders” following police intervention, villagers said.
A senior police official assured that no one would be allowed to disrupt social and communal harmony in the state, adding the board have been removed and investigation launched in the matter.
“As soon as the police were made aware, we took necessary action and had these signboards removed. If such incidents occur again, we will act. No religiously-biased signboards will be permitted,” said Rudraprayag Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabodh Ghildiyal.
(With inputs from agencies)