Latest news with #HaidariDal
News18
07-07-2025
- News18
How UP's Haidari Gang Is Harassing Muslim Girls Spotted With Hindu Boys In The Name Of Protection
UP's Haidari Gang: Claiming to protect Muslim women from 'Bhagwa (saffron) jihad' of Hindu boys, the group focuses on public surveillance, intimidation, and digital shaming UP's Haidari Gang: Uttar Pradesh is witnessing the emergence of a new group of moral police – the Haidari gang or Haidari Dal, which targets Muslim girls spotted with boys from other faiths, particularly Hindus, in public spaces such as malls and parks. The group, which films the confrontations and uploads the clips to spread hate, has sparked fear on the streets and fury online. In a recent crackdown, the UP Police has arrested six men, frozen their bank accounts, and uncovered a growing digital network of harassment masked as religious duty. Police investigations and social media content reveal a coordinated campaign of moral policing, intimidation, and religious hatred. A Festival Turned Flashpoint The gang first came to public attention on June 7, 2025, the day of Eid al-Adha (Bakrid), when a group of Muslim girls celebrating the festival at Bareilly's Gandhi Park was approached, interrogated, and harassed by four men. The entire episode was captured on mobile phones by members of the same group and later uploaded to Instagram with captions claiming to 'protect hijab" and 'resist saffron jihad". Public outrage followed swiftly, prompting Bareilly Police to launch an investigation that has since exposed a larger network. Inside the Haidari gang At its core, Haidari Dal functions less like a religious organisation and more like a decentralised vigilante cult. Claiming to protect Muslim women from 'Bhagwa (saffron) jihad" — a term coined as a counter to the Hindu right-wing's 'love jihad" narrative — the group instead focuses on public surveillance, intimidation, and digital shaming. Organised through WhatsApp groups and financed via QR-code donations, its members actively scout parks, malls, and cafes for interfaith groups — particularly Muslim women accompanied by Hindu men. Videos of these encounters, often confrontational and threatening, are uploaded to Instagram accounts with incendiary captions. Far from moral guardians, the Haidari Dal operates as a digital hate network, blending misogyny with religious extremism. #बरेली के गांधी उद्यान पार्क में हैदरी दल के लोग जाकर लड़के लड़कियों को परेशान करते हैं,धमकी देते हैं और उनकी वीडियो बनाकर सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल करते हैं,आखिर इन लोगों को परमीशन किसने दे दी कि पार्कों में जाकर लड़के लड़कियों की आइडेंटी चेक करो। @Uppolice @adgzonebareilly … — Mayur Talwar (@MayurTalwar_) June 7, 2025 Harassment disguised as 'protection' In the now-deleted viral videos, Haidari members are seen questioning Muslim girls, demanding to know their names and personal details. Police investigations revealed that what seemed isolated was, in fact, an orchestrated campaign. Officers uncovered 68 Instagram accounts and over a dozen WhatsApp groups associated with the gang. These platforms were not just used to share videos — they served as planning hubs, funding platforms, and recruitment channels. Crackdown and arrests So far, six men, all in their early 20s — Shahbaz alias Sufiyan, Sameer Raza, Riyazuddin, Jaish, Shanu, and Nabi Hasan – have been arrested. The group is accused of filming objectionable content, promoting communal hate, and even physical assault. Sufiyan, believed to be the primary handler of the @haidari_dal_bareilly Instagram account, had over 4,000 followers and uploaded the controversial Gandhi Park video. Among the most serious cases is that of Nabi Hasan, arrested from Shahjahanpur. His phone revealed not only group chats and radical content but also pornographic videos involving a minor, leading to charges under the POCSO Act. 'We received the first credible tip around mid-June," said SP City Manush Pareek. 'Upon analysis, we realised their central motive was to harass women under the pretext of protecting religious values. This was targeted, coordinated, and dangerous." Two bank accounts have been frozen, used to collect funds via QR codes circulated in closed groups. Police are also tracking IP addresses and digital footprints linked to similar groups in Rajasthan, Indore, and other regions. Hate in the name of faith Investigations further revealed a disturbing twist — the involvement of a local imam, who allegedly promoted the group in private WhatsApp forums. According to CO Ashutosh Shivam, the cleric shared QR codes and urged followers to donate 'Rs200 or more to protect our Muslim sisters". Police are actively searching for him following testimonies from the arrested members. People, however, have condemned the group's ideology and actions, drawing parallels with Hindu right-wing outfits like Bajrang Dal, but operating with an Islamic extremist slant. Posts by Haidari Dal commonly use hashtags like #HijabIsOurHonor and #SaveOurSisters, often alongside violent rhetoric. 'This is a direct assault on personal liberty," said Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat. 'Radicalisation is rising on both sides. If society doesn't step up, we risk losing an entire generation to hate." Surveillance in public spaces In the aftermath of the Gandhi Park incident, Bareilly authorities have ramped up security. At the park's entry, security guards now check Aadhaar cards of mixed-gender groups. If a pair appears to be from different communities, they are reportedly asked to leave. 'Now we ask for ID. If we suspect a Hindu-Muslim pair, we don't allow them in," said Rohit, a security guard posted at Gandhi Park. 'The police also patrol here daily now." A network far from dismantled Despite the arrests, police believe the Haidari network is far from finished. Accounts like @haidari_dal_rajasthan remain active, with over 300 followers and 24 incendiary videos. These accounts often show Muslim youth confronting couples, filming without consent, and passing it off as community service. 'This is not just a local disturbance," SP Pareek warned. 'This is about safeguarding both the dignity of women and communal harmony. More arrests will follow," he added. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Hindu-Muslim news18 specials Location : Lucknow, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 14:21 IST News explainers How UP's Haidari Gang Is Harassing Muslim Girls Spotted With Hindu Boys In The Name Of Protection
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Insta ‘moral policing' spurs crackdown on Haidari Dal members
Police in Bareilly have escalated their search for Imam Riyazuddin, a key suspect in the investigation against Haidari Dal, a group accused of faith-based vigilantism and harassment of women. The crackdown follows a series of arrests after a viral video from June 7, 2025, purportedly showed group members confronting women in Gandhi Udyan Park during Bakrid celebrations. 22-year-old Imam suspected of recruiting youth, managing funds online (Sourced) The 22-year-old imam from Majhua village under Faridpur police station is believed to be central to the group's financial and operational planning. According to officials, Riyazuddin circulated a QR code on social media to collect donations, which were used to produce provocative videos posted on Instagram handles like 'Haidri Dal Bareilly' and 'Haidari Dal 25'. These videos frequently targeted women from a particular community, seen with men from other communities under the guise of moral policing. Following complaints, the police registered an FIR at Kotwali police station under Sections 353 (public mischief), 196 (promoting enmity), 79 (insulting modesty of a woman), and 126 (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have arrested six individuals linked to the group. On June 24, the founder of Haidari Dal, Nabi Hasan, was taken into custody. Authorities recovered 40 objectionable videos from his mobile phone. Earlier arrests include Unani medicine student Jaish Ahmad and engineering student Shanu on June 15 for circulating inflammatory material. On June 8, Shahbaz Raza alias Sufiyan and Sameer Raza were held for harassing women at Gandhi Udyan Park. Two others, Riyazuddin and Mufti Khalid, are still on the run. Investigators say Riyazuddin used his influence as an Imam of a mosque to raise funds and mobilise youth. He allegedly coordinated activities through a WhatsApp group where strategies were discussed and operations planned. Circle officer Ashutosh Shivam confirmed that search operations are underway across Bareilly and adjoining districts. 'We are focusing on Riyazuddin's financial links. The QR code used for donations could lead us to others involved in the network,' he said. The police's cyber team, along with the Special Operations Group and Surveillance Unit, have identified over 50 social media groups operating under variants of the name 'Haidri Dal', often combined with district or RTO codes. Senior officials said that while the group appears to be small and self-organised, the use of multiple digital platforms has made tracking it more complex. New videos posted online on June 13 show members confronting and assaulting a man for talking to a woman wearing a hijab. Police say Riyazuddin's dual role as an imam and group organiser allegedly allowed him to both inspire and direct operations, including the filming and online promotion of confrontations. 'We are committed to rooting out this network,' superintendent of police (SP) (City) Manush Pareek. 'Riyazuddin's role in coordinating and funding these activities makes him a key target. The investigation is ongoing, and no angle is being ignored.'
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- The Hindu
Two students linked to fundamentalist group arrested in Bareilly
Two men have been arrested here on suspicion of links to fundamentalist group Haidari Dal, officials said on Monday (June 16, 2025). Medical student Jaish Ahmad and an engineering student Shanu, both accused of promoting inflammatory content and inciting religious sentiments through social media and offline gatherings, were held by the Kotwali police station officials on Sunday (June 15, 2025) evening, they said. Superintendent of Police (City) Manush Pareek said, 'Both the arrested youths were actively involved with the Haidari Dal. One of them used social media platforms to promote the group, while the other facilitated meetings at his clinic. We are conducting a deeper investigation into this network, and the role of other individuals is also being examined.' According to the police, Mr. Ahmad, a resident of Baradari, Bareilly, is a student at a private homoeopathy college and also operates a clinic near his residence. Investigations have revealed that Jaish allegedly used his clinic as a meeting point for Haidari Dal members from across the district, where group strategies were discussed. He is also accused of providing financial support to the organisation, the police claimed. Mr. Shanu, a resident of Baheri, is a second-year computer science student at a private university. Police said that during the investigation following Jaish's arrest, it was found that Shanu had created an Instagram page in the name of Haidari Dal. The page was used to share objectionable, provocative, and communally sensitive content, the police claimed. Both accused were produced in court on Monday (June 16, 2025) and have been remanded to judicial custody. The Haidari Dal first came under scrutiny on June 7, the day of Bakrid, after a video surfaced showing a group of youths confronting members of a particular community in Gandhi Udyan (park). In the video, men were seen questioning young women from a specific community who were sitting with men from another community, asking them their names, religion, and addresses in a manner meant to shame and intimidate them. The video was later uploaded on Instagram, where it quickly went viral. Following public outrage and online circulation of the video, police launched an investigation and on June 8, registered a case at the Kotwali police station. Two accused — Shahbaz Raza alias Sufiyan, a resident of Mallpur Bhuta, and Sameer Raza — were arrested and sent to jail. However, other suspects, including Mufti Khalid (a resident of Puranpur) and Riyazuddin (a resident of Majhua under Faridpur police station), remain absconding. Police said its teams are actively conducting raids to trace and arrest them. Meanwhile, authorities are also investigating the sources of financial support to Haidari Dal and identifying those who may have contributed funds to the organisation.
