Kamal Ghorui
An Indian-origin Sikh restaurant owner in west London has alleged that the Metropolitan Police “repeatedly refused” to help his family despite serious threats, hours after he was detained and later released following a tense confrontation outside his restaurant.Harman Singh Kapoor, owner of Rangrez, claimed in a social media post that his “outburst” was driven by months of intimidation.“Many individuals are unhappy about my aggression against radical elements who continuously make my life a living hell,” he wrote, adding: “The Metropolitan Police repeatedly refused to help my family when crowds of unruly radicals threatened to kill and rape us.”He also posted a video after his release, saying supporters had gathered outside the restaurant, and described his arrest as “illegal”.
Months of tension over ‘non-halal’ stance
The controversy centres around Rangrez, a neighbourhood Indian restaurant in west London that has operated for around 16 years and had already announced plans to shut down.Kapoor said the business had been under sustained pressure after it publicly declared it would not serve halal meat. A prominent sign outside the restaurant read: “Proudly we don’t sell Halal.”As a Sikh, Kapoor said he preferred to serve jhatka meat, a method of slaughter involving a single swift strike, which some Sikhs consider religiously permissible.According to him, the decision triggered months of backlash, including fake online reviews, threats and repeated confrontations.
Crowd gathers, situation escalates
Tensions peaked on March 14 when Kapoor promoted a “non-halal meetup” at the restaurant, asking supporters to attend and record any disturbances.Later that day, a large crowd gathered outside the premises in Hammersmith, with social media posts claiming that over 100 people had surrounded the restaurant. Videos shared online showed a heated atmosphere, with Kapoor describing the situation as threatening.He said he carried his kirpan, a ceremonial Sikh blade, for protection amid fears for his family’s safety.
Arrest and release
Kapoor said he was detained by the Metropolitan Police hours after the crowd began dispersing, allegedly for carrying the religious dagger.The police have not yet issued a detailed public statement clarifying the circumstances of the arrest or whether any charges were filed.Kapoor was later released, following which he posted videos showing supporters gathered outside the restaurant. In another post, he wrote: “I can’t even hold a knife anymore, even to eat my meal. I might get arrested by the Met Police.”What began as a dispute over halal and non-halal food has since spiralled into a wider cultural and political controversy. Supporters of Kapoor claim he is being targeted for exercising his religious beliefs and protecting his business, while critics argue the situation intensified amid provocative messaging and rising tensions on social media.
