A week after communal violence rocked Haryana's Nuh and Gurugram districts, Muslim traders here have been left in a state of shock as an 'economic boycott' was announced by a Hindu body at a Mahapanchayat organised in Tigra village of Gurugram.
A year ago, Imran (name changed) opened his meat shop in Gurugram's Rajiv Nagar area.
He was at his shop when he heard about riots that had broken out in Nuh on July 31 a procession organised by the VHP.
"I assumed the matter would be sorted out in Nuh only but later, it escalated to different parts of Gurugram. As the news of violence in Gurugram spread, around six Muslim traders including I in the Rajiv Nagar area did not open shops to assess the situation," he said.
Imran said he was planning to re-open his shop over the weekend.
However, the announcement on Sunday during the Mahapanchayat organised by a Hindu group members in Tigra village has come as a shocker for Imran.
During the meeting, calls were made to boycott Muslim-run businesses.
Imran has said that it has come as a shocking reminder that "I could be their next target".
He said this did not happen to him for the first time.
During Navratri, the Muslim traders closed their shops for nine days to avoid any incidents and returned to their native places.
He alleged that "Hindu groups can abuse us, beat us, threaten us and can do anything... while the police and the government stay silent".
Imran said that he suffered a loss of Rs 1,400 per day as his shop remained shut.
Muslim traders used to come here some years ago from regions in western Uttar Pradesh such as Bijnor, Aligarh and Saharanpur.
Another meat shop owner in Sanjay Gram, Iqbal, said: "As the violence spread to Gurugram our lives are at stake now. Our shops have been closed. We have to pay monthly rent. We are even borrowing money from our well-wishers for food. This 'economic boycott' will crush our business."
In Gurugram, Muslims own hundreds of shops, including clothing stores, salons, scrap shops, and motorcycle repair shops.
"We barely make enough to sustain ourselves. We are migrant workers. If we are not allowed to earn a living, we won't be able to survive,” Abdul said.
Meanwhile, ACP Varun Dahiya has said that action is being taken against those disturbing law and order in the city.
The presence of police personnel and patrolling has been intensified in Gurugram to protect migrant workers and others, the police officer said.
Colorful rally of Netaji Subhash Vidyaniketan dazzles in Agartala to mark Netaji’s birthday
Like every year, this year too, the colourful tableaus of Netaji Subhas Vidyaniketan school here at Agartala rolled over the streets of the capital town and captivated all with its dazzling display of culture and heritage.
NCLAT stays CCI ban on WhatsApp, Meta evaluating next steps
Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta on Thursday said it welcomes the decision of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to stay the ban imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp and will evaluate next steps.
Delhi elections: Parties scale up poll campaign, top leaders to address rallies
With less than a fortnight to go for Delhi Assembly elections, the electioneering is reaching a feversish pitch with top leaders of respective parties hitting the streets to woo the electorate.
I-T raids on leading Tollywood filmmakers continue for third day
The raids were also continuing on the leading production houses Mythri Movie Makers and Mango Media. The department has not yet come out with a statement about the searches but it is believed that it identified a mismatch between the revenues earned by some recent movies and the income tax paid.
One of the greatest sons of Bharat Mata: Prez Murmu pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 127th birth anniversary, acknowledging his monumental role in India's freedom struggle and his enduring legacy.
India expects accountability on 2023 consulate attack in San Francisco: EAM Jaishankar
Nearly hours after meeting with newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said that "India expects accountability" for the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in 2023 a "very serious matter" and those responsible to be held accountable.
Trump speaks with Saudi's Crown Prince, his first call with foreign leader since taking office
During the call, the Crown Prince congratulated Trump and conveyed the congratulations of King Salman to the President after being sworn in, wishing the American people further progress and prosperity.
Trump redesignates Iran-backed Houthi rebels as foreign terrorist organisation
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order designating Yemen's Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), reversing a Biden-era policy that had removed the group from the State Department's list of global terror groups.