In a deeply unsettling turn of events, a 19-year-old Muslim boy named Abbas found himself at the center of a horrifying incident in Morgi, Telangana, as he was assaulted and subjected to public humiliation by a Hindutva mob celebrating the consecration of Ayodhya’s Ram temple.
This distressing event unfolded in the village on the border with Karnataka, in Telangana’s Sangareddy district.
Despite being the apparent victim, Abbas faced further injustice as he was arrested and sent to jail. His alleged crime was disrespecting a saffron flag and sharing a video of the incident on social media.
Four other Muslims were also apprehended for supposedly assisting in the creation of the video. Shockingly, the incident occurred on January 22, but it only came to light on January 25.
The saffron mob, accusing Abbas of disrespecting the religious flag, subjected him to a brutal attack in full public view.
The teenager was not only thrashed and pushed to the ground but also stripped and paraded naked through the village.
Adding to the brutality, a member of the Hindutva mob reportedly threw fire on his private parts, although Abbas managed to extinguish it before sustaining further harm.
The entire gruesome attack was filmed by one of the assailants and shared on social media platforms.
In a bizarre turn of events, Abbas, along with four others, was arrested and sent to remand for their alleged involvement in the video.
The police filed charges against them under IPC Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 253A (offending religious beliefs), and 505 (2) (promoting hatred or ill-will).
While Abbas filed a complaint against the mob, five individuals from the attacking group have been identified by the police.
However, no arrests have been made as of yet. The police registered a case against the mob under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 505 (2) (statements conducing public mischief), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
This shocking incident prompted Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to condemn the heinous mob violence and call for strict action.
The lack of immediate arrests and the victimization of Abbas have sparked outrage, highlighting the urgent need for justice in the face of such appalling acts.