Ghaziabad Police Arrest 10 Hindu Raksha Dal Members for Distributing Swords Amid Provocative Slogans

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | December 30, 2025

In a swift crackdown on rising communal tensions, Ghaziabad police arrested 10 members of the fringe right-wing outfit Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) on Monday for allegedly distributing swords and axes to local Hindus while raising anti-Muslim slogans in the Shalimar Garden area. The incident, which unfolded outside the group's office in Shalimar Garden Extension 2, has sparked concerns over efforts to incite violence, with authorities vowing to maintain law and order in the sensitive neighborhood.

According to police reports, the HRD activists set up a makeshift stall displaying an array of sharp weapons, including swords, axes, and spears, and went door-to-door in the colony to distribute over two dozen swords— with the group claiming to have handed out as many as 250 in total. Videos circulating on social media showed participants, including women, receiving the weapons and being urged to use them for "self-defense" against perceived threats from "jihadists." Slogans such as "Don’t fear jihadists, we’ll train you" and other pro-Hindu, anti-Muslim chants echoed through the streets during a procession led by the activists.

The distribution was framed by the group as a response to the recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, with HRD national president Pinky Chaudhary (also known as Bhupendra Chowdhry) stating in a viral video: “The way our Hindu brothers have been killed in Bangladesh, we are distributing swords to our Hindu brothers. Hindus should keep swords to defend themselves. We have distributed about 250 swords, and we will continue to distribute.” Chaudhary, who was absent from the scene, has been named in the First Information Report (FIR) and remains at large, prompting police raids on potential hideouts.

Amit Prajapati, the group's state organization minister, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the weapons were for home protection and promising training sessions akin to "gym classes" to equip recipients. The event caused panic among residents, with locals reporting fear and disruption as the procession moved through the colony.

Ghaziabad police, alerted by the viral videos, responded promptly with teams from Shalimar Garden, Sahibabad, and Link Road stations. The arrests were made on the spot, and a large cache of swords was recovered from the site. An FIR has been registered at Shalimar Garden police station against 16 named individuals, including Chaudhary, and 25-30 unidentified persons under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 191(2) for rioting, 191(3) for rioting armed with deadly weapons, and 127(2) for wrongful confinement. Additional charges under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act are expected as investigations progress.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nimish Patil addressed the media, stating: “We have registered an FIR in connection with the viral videos. The videos show that the members of HRD were displaying and distributing swords to people. This act also caused fear among the locals. Chaudhary has also been named in the FIR, and he is absconding at present. The members of HRD were highlighting the issues in Bangladesh. We took cognisance of the videos and took appropriate action.” Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Atul Kumar Singh added that enhanced patrolling is underway to prevent any escalation, assuring the public: “Police will not permit any outfit to disturb harmony and law and order. All the named and unnamed accused will be arrested soon.”

The Hindu Raksha Dal, a lesser-known Hindu nationalist group, has a history of controversial actions. It first gained notoriety in 2014 for an alleged attack on the Aam Aadmi Party's office in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad. In 2016, Chaudhary contested the Ghaziabad municipal corporation mayoral bypolls as an independent candidate, finishing fourth. The outfit also claimed responsibility for violence during the 2020 Jawaharlal Nehru University clashes in Delhi. More recently, in August 2024, HRD members were implicated in an attack on four families in a Kavi Nagar slum, further cementing its reputation for stoking communal discord.

Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that such provocations will not be tolerated. As investigations continue, the incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh amid national and international triggers like the Bangladesh unrest.