New Delhi: In Gurdaspur and surrounding areas of India’s Punjab state, Nihang Sikh Salwinder Singh and his associates have allegedly been threatening Muslim traders over the sale of halal food.
Several videos have gone viral on social media in recent days, purportedly showing the group visiting Muslim-owned shops, staging protests and speaking to shopkeepers in an allegedly threatening manner.
Location: Gurdaspur, Punjab
Arriving at Al Karim Chicken Point, a Muslim-owned shop, Salwinder Singh, a Nihang, and his companions protested the sale of halal food, warning that this was not a Muslim-majority area and that halal food was forbidden in Hindu and Sikh religions,… pic.twitter.com/AniQjyzKFT
— The Muslim (@TheMuslim786) September 18, 2026
The group reportedly visited several Muslim-owned establishments, including Al-Karam Chicken Point, Shama Chicken Biryani and Zaiqa Chicken Point. According to the claims circulating online, the men argued that the area was not Muslim-majority, that halal food was prohibited under Sikhism and Hinduism, and instructed the shopkeepers to put up signs identifying their businesses as halal food outlets.
They also allegedly accused the shopkeepers of influencing or corrupting people’s religious beliefs.
Location: Gurdaspur, Punjab
Arriving at Al Karim Chicken Point, a Muslim-owned shop, Salwinder Singh, a Nihang, and his companions protested the sale of halal food, warning that this was not a Muslim-majority area and that halal food was forbidden in Hindu and Sikh religions,… pic.twitter.com/AniQjyzKFT
— The Muslim (@TheMuslim786) September 18, 2026
The incident has drawn comparisons on social media with campaigns by some Hindu nationalist groups that have previously opposed halal food and targeted Muslim-owned businesses. Critics online have alleged that some hardline Sikh elements now appear to be adopting a similar form of communal rhetoric.
Strong Reaction on Social Media
The viral videos have triggered strong criticism on social media.
Some users argued that if halal food is prohibited by someone’s religion, they can simply choose to purchase food elsewhere rather than visiting Muslim-owned shops and allegedly threatening their owners.
Halal food is forbidden for your religion just go to another shop,why you’re protesting against that shop .this bullshit.
— Mohamed Adhil (@adhil_rx__) September 21, 2026
One social media user questioned why some Sikh people work at and eat at halal restaurants in Canada while similar objections are being raised in India.
Bro 😭 come to Canada. Pakistani, Arab and other halal restaurants literally have 90% Sikh staff preparing halal meat, cooking it, serving it, eating it, and even taking leftover food home for themselves, friends and family.
So what exactly is this drama? 💀 If you don’t want to…
— Alisha 🍁 (@AlishaKhalid) September 20, 2026
Some users also linked the reported behavior to alleged hostility toward people from outside Punjab. Others highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding practice of facilitating visits by Indian Sikh pilgrims for religious observances, arguing that such hospitality should not be met with hostility toward Muslims in India.
Calls for Action by the Pakistani Government
Calls have also emerged on social media urging the Pakistani government to consider restricting entry to Pakistan for Sikh individuals accused of engaging in extremist or threatening activities.
Some users have argued that continued allegations of threats against Muslim traders in Indian Punjab should prompt a review of existing arrangements facilitating religious pilgrimages.
The controversy has therefore expanded beyond the alleged incidents in Gurdaspur, prompting a wider social media debate over religious tolerance, freedom of trade and the treatment of religious minorities.
