A palpable sense of unease has settled over Uttam Nagar’s Hastsal village, where several Muslim families have admitted they are considering fleeing their homes ahead of this weekend’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. The exodus follows a surge in communal tension triggered by the death of a 26-year-old man during a brawl on the day of Holi— an incident residents say was a private dispute between two families that has since been hijacked by outside agitators.
For 55-year-old restaurateur Jameel Ahmad, the fear is personal. Having lived in the area for over half a century, he now finds himself spooked by provocative speeches and social media videos threatening a "Khoon Ki Holi" (Holi of blood). "I have seven grandchildren. We are terrified because of what these leaders are saying," he said, noting that while the murder was a tragedy, it was not originally a communal matter. Ahmad claimed that two neighbouring families have already packed up and left, and his own children are pleading with him to do the same before the festival begins.
The friction traces back to March 4, when a water balloon thrown by an 11-year-old girl led to a heated altercation between two households. Tarun Kumar, 26, died of his injuries four days later, leading to the arrest of 14 people. In the fortnight since, the locality has been transformed by police barricades and daily protests near the metro station. Farzana, a 22-year-old resident, described a chilling shift in the social fabric. "It’s strange when your neighbours suddenly stop speaking to you nicely," she remarked, explaining that her family plans to leave for a few days simply to ensure a peaceful Eid.
The Delhi Police, however, have been working overtime to project a sense of stability. Deputy Commissioner of Police for Dwarka Kushal Pal Singh has insisted that "no local is involved" in the provocative rhetoric. He noted that the majority of inflammatory content being monitored on X and Instagram originates from creators in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. While Meta has already removed several videos at the department’s request, the police are continuing to hold "peace meetings" to reassure residents that adequate security is in place for the upcoming holiday.
Despite these official assurances, the mood on the ground remains fragile. Bilal Rajput, a local advocate whose family moved to Hastsal in the 1970s, noted that even his Hindu neighbours have expressed fear over the escalating rhetoric from outsiders. "We aren't planning to leave yet," he said, "but you cannot deny that there are serious problems here." As the weekend approaches, the quiet departure of tenants and shopkeepers suggests that for many, the promise of police protection is not quite enough to outweigh the shadow of the ongoing threats.
Also read: Uttam Nagar murder: NHRC issues notices to Police chief, DM
Follow us
