Vigilante Policing: War Veteran’s Family Harassed Over Citizenship in Pune

Hindu Nationalist Group Stormed Home at Midnight, Demanded Documents, Called Them Bangladeshis

July 30, 2025

The family of a Kargil war veteran in Pune has alleged that around 80 members of a Hindu nationalist group stormed their house at midnight and demanded proof of their citizenship, accusing them of being illegal immigrants. Allowing such groups to operate in this manner risks normalising harassment and extra-legal intimidation, which undermines the security and dignity of all citizens, not just those being targeted at the moment.

The incident took place in the Chandannagar area of Pune, where Irshad Shaikh lives with his two brothers and their children. Irshad’s elder brother, Hakimuddin Shaikh, who currently lives in Uttar Pradesh, served as a havildar in the Engineers Regiment and fought in the Kargil war before retiring in 2000, according to Deccan Herald. The family has lived in Pune for decades, with multiple members serving in the Indian Army across various wars.

Irshad recounted that a large group arrived at their home around midnight, banging on the door and demanding that the family members produce their Aadhaar identity cards. When the documents were shown, the group dismissed them as fake and insisted on seeing the documents of women and children. The group chanted “Jai Shree Ram,” hurled abuses and accused the family of being Bangladeshis. Irshad said he told them they were welcome to verify their information through legal means, but that forcing children to show documents at midnight and barging into their home was unacceptable.

The family pointed out that their contributions to the nation’s defence stretch back decades. One uncle was injured during the 1971 war and honoured for his courage, while another fought alongside Abdul Hameed during the 1965 war. After the incident, Irshad reached out to social activist Rahul Dambale, who helped them contact a senior police officer. While the officer promised action, Irshad claimed no steps have been taken even after several days.

Hakimuddin, the Kargil veteran, expressed readiness to approach the police to demand an explanation. Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde denied that a large group barged into the house, stating that police personnel had visited only to verify documents under an ongoing drive against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Irshad, however, alleged that the group was accompanied by two plain-clothed policemen who identified themselves as officers but did nothing to stop the harassment. He added that the family was taken to the Chandannagar police station, where they were made to wait outside for hours while their documents were checked.

The following day, they were allegedly warned against pursuing a complaint and told they could be declared illegal immigrants if they refused to comply.

What happened here suggests a worrying breakdown of institutional boundaries. In a democracy, law enforcement has the sole authority to investigate citizenship issues, and even this must be done with proper procedures and respect for rights. It’s a vivid example of how vigilantism erodes the social contract, the unwritten agreement in any society that the state, not self-appointed actors, holds the power to enforce rules in a fair and impartial way.

It’s against rule of law, as the group acted as a parallel authority and was not restrained. This causes citizens to live in uncertainty about who can exercise power over them. Today the target might be one family from a minority community, but the culture this creates threatens everyone’s security, as it normalises the idea that power does not require accountability.

Such incidents also corrode “social trust,” the basic belief that neighbours and institutions will behave predictably and within shared norms. Trust is crucial for a functioning economy, healthy communities and democratic stability. When groups harass people without facing consequences, it sends the message that those with power or numbers can do as they please, regardless of the law.

There is also the issue of collective identity. In diverse societies, belonging is not defined by ethnicity, religion or language but by shared civic values. Acts like these signal that some groups can decide who belongs, reducing citizenship to a test of loyalty judged by majoritarian standards. This sets a dangerous precedent, as the targets can shift over time to anyone who disagrees or looks different, creating a culture of fear and exclusion.

From a governance perspective, tolerating such behaviour dilutes the state’s legitimacy. Citizens trust the state to protect them from harm, including harm from other citizens. People must be able to trust that the state will protect their rights, because when that trust breaks down, it leaves space for informal groups to take control, turning society into one where force and fear replace law and justice.

The long-term consequence is cultural damage, as intimidation was apparently allowed to pass unchecked, which teaches the next generation that arbitrary power and public humiliation are acceptable tools for enforcing identity or belonging. This kind of culture does not remain confined to minority groups; it eventually spreads, affecting anyone who finds themselves outside the dominant narrative.

You have just read a News Briefing by Newsreel Asia, written to cut through the noise and present a single story for the day that matters to you. Certain briefings, based on media reports, seek to keep readers informed about events across India, others offer a perspective rooted in humanitarian concerns and some provide our own exclusive reporting. We encourage you to read the News Briefing each day. Our objective is to help you become not just an informed citizen, but an engaged and responsible one.