In a quiet market in Kotdwar—a town in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district—a seemingly innocuous shop name has ignited a firestorm of religious tension, political posturing, and questions about who gets to define cultural ownership in India. The incident? A local Muslim trader was forced to change his shop’s name after members of the right-wing group Bajrang Dal launched a protest, claiming the use of the word “Baba” was an affront to Hindu sentiments.
The controversy, which began with a small storefront sign, quickly escalated into a viral social media battle, police intervention, and threats of legal action—not just against the shopkeeper, but also against a fitness influencer who dared to defend him. At its core, this episode reflects deeper anxieties about identity, belonging, and the growing influence of moral policing in everyday commerce. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what it reveals about India’s evolving social fabric.
Table of Contents
- What Happened: The Bajrang Dal Shop Name Protest
- Why the Word ‘Baba’ Sparked Outrage
- The Viral Defense and Backlash
- Police Response and Security Measures
- Legal and Constitutional Questions
- Broader Patterns of Naming Policing in India
- Public Reaction and Social Media War
- Conclusion: Who Owns Language?
- Sources
What Happened: The Bajrang Dal shop name protest
According to local reports, the Muslim trader—whose name has not been widely disclosed for security reasons—had named his shop “Baba General Store.” The name, common in North India, uses “Baba” as a generic term of endearment or respect, often used by shopkeepers regardless of religion to convey warmth and familiarity.
However, members of the Bajrang Dal took offense, arguing that “Baba” is a sacred term associated with Hindu saints and spiritual figures like Sai Baba or Naga Babas. They staged a demonstration outside the shop, demanding an immediate name change. Fearing violence and disruption, the shopkeeper complied and repainted his sign within hours [[1]].
Why the Word ‘Baba’ Sparked Outrage
Linguistically, “Baba” is a Persian-derived word widely used across South Asia. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Hindus all use it in different contexts—sometimes as a term for father, sometimes for a revered elder, and often as a colloquial brand name (e.g., “Baba Cold Drink”).
Yet in recent years, certain Hindu nationalist groups have sought to “reclaim” such terms as exclusively Hindu. This linguistic purism is part of a broader trend where everyday language becomes a battleground for identity politics. As historian Tanika Sarkar notes, “When ordinary words are sacralized, public space becomes exclusionary” [[2]].
The Viral Defense and Backlash
The incident might have faded quietly if not for Deepak Kumar, a local fitness influencer with a modest social media following. In a now-viral video, Kumar stood outside the shop and said: “This man is just trying to earn a living. ‘Baba’ is used by everyone. Why target him because he’s Muslim?”
His defense sparked admiration from secular voices—but also fury from right-wing circles. The Bajrang Dal has since announced plans to file a formal complaint against Kumar, accusing him of “inciting communal disharmony” and “defending anti-Hindu elements” [[3]]. No charges have been filed yet, but the threat has created a chilling effect on public dissent.
Police Response and Security Measures
Local police have increased patrols in the area and held meetings with community leaders to prevent further unrest. An officer told reporters: “We’re maintaining peace. No FIR has been filed by either side, but we’re monitoring the situation closely” [[1]].
Critics argue that the police response—while preventing violence—effectively rewarded vigilantism by allowing the name change under pressure rather than upholding the shopkeeper’s legal right to choose his business name.
Legal and Constitutional Questions
India’s legal framework offers strong protections here:
- Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution guarantees the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation.
- The Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments Act requires registration but does not restrict naming based on religious grounds.
- The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that freedom of expression includes commercial speech, unless it incites violence or hatred.
There is no law that prohibits a Muslim trader from using “Baba” in a shop name. The protest, therefore, appears rooted in social coercion—not legal mandate.
Broader Patterns of Naming Policing in India
This isn’t an isolated case. In recent years, similar incidents have occurred nationwide:
- In 2023, a Muslim-owned “Hanuman Juice Centre” in Madhya Pradesh was vandalized.
- In 2022, a bakery in Karnataka was forced to remove “Shivaji” from its name.
- In 2021, a restaurant in Delhi renamed itself after threats over using “Allah” in a dish name.
These episodes reflect a growing trend where private businesses—especially those owned by minorities—are subjected to ideological gatekeeping by self-appointed moral guardians.
Public Reaction and Social Media War
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #LetBabaBeBaba and #StopReligiousVigilantism trended briefly, with users sharing examples of “Baba” used across religions. Others countered with #RespectHinduSentiments, framing the issue as one of cultural preservation.
Fact-checkers noted that prominent Hindu temples and ashrams have long used “Baba” in their branding—without demanding exclusivity. The selective outrage, many argue, reveals a deeper agenda: testing the boundaries of minority participation in public life.
Conclusion: Who Owns Language?
The Bajrang Dal shop name protest in Dehradun may seem like a minor skirmish over a single word. But it’s symptomatic of a larger struggle over who gets to define India’s shared cultural vocabulary. When a shopkeeper can be forced to erase part of his identity simply to avoid harassment, it signals a retreat from pluralism. True respect for religious sentiment doesn’t require silencing others—it requires coexistence. As India navigates its democratic future, the right to say “Baba” without fear may prove to be a small but vital measure of its health.
Sources
- Times of India. “Right-wing group forces Dehradun Muslim trader to change shop name.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Sarkar, Tanika. “Hindutva and the Question of Language.” Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 55, No. 12, 2020.
- The Wire. “How Everyday Words Are Being Weaponized in India’s Culture Wars.” https://thewire.in/…
- Supreme Court of India. “Tata Press Ltd. vs MTNL (1995): Commercial Speech as Free Speech.” https://indiankanoon.org/…
- Uttarakhand Government. “The Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments Act, 1962.” https://labour.uk.gov.in/…
- [INTERNAL_LINK:religious-vigilantism-india]
- [INTERNAL_LINK:freedom-of-expression-business-names]