Police in Ghaziabad have arrested 10 members of the Hindutva organization Hindu Raksha Dal for disturbing public peace and inciting communal tension in the Shalimar Garden area. A total of 41 individuals have been named in the FIR, of which 16 have been identified, while 25–30 remain unidentified.
According to police, the accused allegedly held a rally in a residential colony, openly brandishing swords and raising anti-Muslim slogans. They reportedly distributed swords to participants, creating fear and tension in the area. The incident came to light after video footage went viral on social media, prompting police action.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shalimar Garden, Atul Kumar Singh, stated that the accused were identified based on the viral videos, and 10 individuals have been arrested so far. He added that the FIR also names Bhupendra Chaudhary, aka Pinky, the national president of Hindu Raksha Dal, who is currently at large.
Police sources said the viral footage shows Chaudhary referring to recent incidents in Bangladesh and allegedly urging Hindus to keep weapons for self-defense. In the video, he reportedly said that given the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, people should arm themselves and that his organization “will respond to every jihadi in their language.”
The statements are believed to be linked to an incident in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, on December 18, where a factory worker was reportedly beaten to death by a mob. Police, however, clarified that invoking a foreign incident to justify armed demonstrations and incendiary speeches in India constitutes a criminal offense.
The FIR states that the accused marched in the area with weapons, causing fear among residents and disturbing public order. Cases have been registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rioting, rioting with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly, and provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nimish Patil, said additional charges could be added based on further investigation. Special police teams have been formed to identify and arrest those still absconding.
Authorities emphasized that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb law and order or communal harmony. As a precaution, extra police forces have been deployed in the area, and social media monitoring has been intensified.
