Hindu leaders seek ban on Muslim traders at fair
Religious figures in Uttar Pradesh urge exclusion of Muslim businesses from public pilgrimage gathering, deepening concerns over economic segregation
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Several Hindu religious leaders in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh have backed calls to bar Muslim traders from participating in an upcoming Hindu religious fair, intensifying concerns over growing economic and social exclusion targeting Muslims in BJP-ruled states.
The demand relates to the annual Adhik Maas fair in Govardhan, a major Hindu pilgrimage town in Mathura district that attracts large numbers of devotees during a sacred month associated with religious rituals and temple visits.
Dinesh Falahari, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, wrote to Uttar Pradesh hardliner Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking restrictions on Muslim traders and businesses during the event.
Several Hindu religious figures publicly endorsed the proposal and urged authorities to prevent Muslims from setting up shops or conducting commercial activities during the fair.
Speaking to reporters, Narayanacharya Jagatguru Shandilya Maharaj said Muslims “have no role” in the event and argued that Hindus should organize the fair with what he described as “purity.”
He added that the demand raised by Falahari was “completely correct” and should be enforced.
Another Hindu priest, Paramhans Acharya, called for public mobilization to pressure authorities into implementing the restrictions.
“To ban Muslims from the fair, saints and residents of Mathura should organize protests and demonstrations. Only then will the government listen,” he said.
He also made controversial remarks referencing religious tensions in neighboring countries and alleged discrimination against Hindus abroad.
Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple similarly supported restrictions on what he described as “non-Sanatani” (non-Hindus) traders and said such businesses should not operate in religious areas during Hindu events.
The statements have triggered debate over religious discrimination, equal business rights and the growing targeting of Muslim livelihoods in parts of India under Hindu nationalist politics.
In recent years, Muslim traders and street vendors in several BJP-ruled states have faced exclusion campaigns during Hindu festivals and pilgrimage events, with right-wing groups often demanding segregation of businesses along religious lines.
Civil rights advocates have warned that such calls deepen communal polarization and contribute to the economic marginalization of India’s Muslim minority.
The Uttar Pradesh government has not yet officially responded to the demand.
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