A Muslim man was assaulted by a Hindutva mob in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district on June 30, UP based news portal Observer post reported.
The incident occurred when the victim identified as Dr. Istekhar was on his way home from work and stopped at a petrol pump to refuel his bike.
Upon his stop at the petrol pump, a group of men approached him and inquired about his name. Learning that he was a Muslim, they began verbally abusing and physically assaulting him. The situation escalated when additional individuals arrived in a jeep and joined in the attack, completely overpowering the young doctor.
Dr. Istekhar stated, “As I crossed the road, two people stopped me, asked my name, and then started abusing and beating me. They called more people, and soon around 25 people surrounded me. I was helpless against them. A local man recognized me and attempted to intervene, though his efforts were unsuccessful.”
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, the police intervened and urged the crowd to disperse. Dr. Istekhar remarked, “I don’t even know those people; they attacked me after asking my name.”
Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack and an FIR as been registered under the sections 506 for criminal intimidation, Section 504 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, Section 148 for rioting armed with a deadly weapon, and Section 147 for rioting.