HYDERABAD: As the proposal to display the owner’s name on eateries along the routes of Kavad pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh sparked widespread protests, Hindutva groups have once again launched a hate campaign. The latest hate campaigners have been posting footage of a man urinating into a pot cooking a dessert and labeling it a Muslim youth.

If you watch the scenes filmed from behind, it will seem that a person is urinating into the big bowl where Gulab Jamun is being prepared. Enemies of Hindus urinate on food for wedding receptions, Aadhaar card should be checked while hiring them, captioned the video.

The video where a man seemingly urinates into a tub of confectioneries is an edited clip. The longer version of the video shows the man pouring a transparent liquid into the tub from a bottle. The viral video is being falsely shared with a communal spin targeting Muslim community… pic.twitter.com/TOugq0KmkD

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 19, 2024

However, a fact check by Alt News brought out the truth behind the video. The scene is from Telangana in May 2023. The young man pours the cooking liquid from the bottle. Hindutva groups have been spreading hatred without providing the full footage. After the truth came out, A.I.M.I.M. The MLA has lodged a complaint with the Telangana Police. The cyber crime police have registered a case in the incident.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has directed that the name of the owner should be displayed in the eateries along the routes of the Kavad Yatra, an annual pilgrimage of Shiva devotees. The explanation is that this is to protect the sanctity of the pilgrims. The Yogi government’s strange action comes amid criticism that it is a move to identify Muslim shops in the region. As the opposition and various social organizations came forward against the proposal, the word ‘mandatory’ was removed from the notice. There are also reports of Muslim workers on the way being sent away. Haridwar Police in Uttarakhand has also issued a similar directive.

Some BJP leaders including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi came forward but later retracted the statement. At the same time, NDA allies including JDU criticized Yogi’s action. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan responded that he will never support or encourage division on the basis of caste or religion. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the order related to the Kavad Yatra should be withdrawn immediately and action should be taken against the officials, as it is an unconstitutional crime to create division in the society on the basis of caste and religion.