In an appalling incident, a 45-year-old Muslim e-Rickshaw driver was assaulted in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur town on Wednesday. He was not only assaulted but paraded through the streets of Kanpur and forced to chant slogans of “Jai Shree Ram.”
A video that is being circulated on social media shows the Muslim man being assaulted and paraded through the streets of Kanpur by some people. The Muslim man’s little daughter can be seen clinging to him and begging the assaulters for her father’s safety.
The distressing visuals show a Muslim man being hit even in the custody of the Police.
Three people have been arrested so far.
In a statement, senior Kanpur police officer, Dr Anil Kumar, confirmed that “After the incident Rahul, Aman and Rajesh have been arrested and further investigation is underway.”
After the three accused were apprehended, Bajrang Dal workers held a protest outside the concerned police station in Kanpur.
After assurances from the police about a fair investigation, the Bajrang Dal Workers left saying they would return if those apprehended were not released soon.
As per reports, the incident took place 500 meters from where the right-wing group Bajrang Dal held a meeting. In the meeting, they claimed that Muslims in the area were attempting to convert a Hindu girl, in their locality. Reportedly, the incident took place right after the meeting.
“A case of rioting has been filed against a local resident who runs a marriage band, his son and around 10 unidentified people,” The Kanpur Police said.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Raveena Tyagi said, “Today, a video of the Kachhi Basti near Ramgopal Chowk in the Barra Police Station area has come to light in which some people are seen beating a man. On the complaint of the victim, an FIR has been lodged against some known and some unknown people and legal action is underway.”
The e-rikshaw driver in his complaint has said, “I was driving my e-rickshaw at around 3 pm on Wednesday when the accused persons started abusing and beating me. They threatened to kill me and my family.”
He added, “I was saved by the police.”
Reportedly, the man is a relative of a Muslim family which is involved in a legal feud with their Hindu neighbours.
As per Kanpur Police, the two families had filed cases against each other, earlier in July.
The Muslim family had filed a case of assault and criminal intimidation. Later, the Hindu neighbours had alleged ‘assault with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman’.
Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen tweeted about the distressing incident, “Radicalised violent criminals know nothing will happen to them. They’re unlikely to even face social boycott for such brutal crimes. They beat a Muslim man in police presence but cops didn’t arrest anyone. Don’t know how the child will ever overcome this trauma.”
“No decent society will glorify such goons. If you’ve a conscience, you can’t be a mute spectator anymore. Fight this violent radicalisation in society,” he tweeted.