NEW DELHI: In a disturbing incident in the Bulandshahr region of India’s Uttar Pradesh state, a Muslim labourer was tied to a tree, had his head shaved, and was forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans by a Hindutva gang. Shockingly, instead of taking action against the assailants, the police sent the Muslim man to jail.
According to a TV report, Shakeel, the father of the labourer named Sahil, revealed that his son was imprisoned after the incident. Shakeel also expressed his distress, stating that the police were pressuring him to reach a compromise with the accused and were issuing threats.
The incident was captured on video by one of the three individuals involved and has since gone viral. Asaduddin Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP and chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), shared the video on social media, condemning the actions.
In response to the incident, Owaisi tweeted, “Look at the sympathy of police, instead of acting against the accused, they sent Sahil to jail. Where do we go with our pleas against injustice?”
Volatile Justice System of India
Additional Superintendent of Police Surendra Nath Tiwari stated that a video recorded in Vair village depicts three men assaulting Sahil, who is also a resident of the same village, under the suspicion of theft. The accused individuals have been identified as Gajendra, Saurabh, and Dhanni.
Sahil’s father, Shakeel, recounted to the media that his son was on his way home for lunch when the accused men apprehended him, tied him to a tree, and subjected him to physical assault.
“We are being ignored and unheard. The police arrested our son and sent him to jail. We named those involved in our complaint. Now, we are being coerced into compromising. They are threatening us, saying that if we don’t comply, they won’t let us stay here. We demand justice,” said a grieving Shakeel, struggling to hold back tears.
This distressing incident highlights the plight of religious minorities in India and raises concerns about the impartiality and responsiveness of law enforcement authorities. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from various quarters, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and appropriate action against the perpetrators.
