'Isse Delhi Samjha Hai?': Muslim Men Claim Being Thrashed Over Cow-Slaughter Allegation In UP

Even as riot-torn Delhi tries to restore normalcy, the echoes of the communal violence were felt in nearby Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. Two Muslim men were brutally thrashed by assailants who insulted them with derogatory religious remarks and repeatedly asked, “Isse Delhi samajha hai kya” in an alleged reference to the riots in the National Capital. The incident that took place on March 2 came to light after the video of the assault went viral on social media. Around 6-7 men were seen pushing, punching the victims with big, wooden log. The men can be seen pleading for mercy.

The local police have, however, downplayed the incident saying that there is nothing communal about it. While the victims claim that they were brutalised over cow-slaughter allegations, the police say that it was related to some old case of ‘eve-teasing’ and ‘illicit relationship’. According to ‘The Hindu’, the FIR names the accused as Shivam, Satyaveer, Sachin, Badal and Dinesh Pandit.

“It happened between two groups in Hamidpur village on March 2. The FIR was registered. There are different versions of the incident. It's being investigated to know the actual reason behind the incident," Bulandshahr SSP was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.   

The worst violence that National Capital has witnessed in last four decades, 48 people have died and nearly 300 have been injured. A strange disquiet looms over the areas of North-East Delhi. An Aaj Tak report said that the civic authorities recovered 20 tonnes of bricks and stones from the roads of the area. The Home Minister is facing extra scrutiny as the Delhi Police comes under his purview. The Opposition has repeatedly raised allegations against the Delhi Police for its apathy and inaction during the peak of Delhi riots. A civic society report found out that hundreds of distress calls by panicked residents were not answered by the cops for nearly 72 hours.

The police said they have registered 531 cases, and 1,647 people have either been detained or arrested. Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in Parliament.

(With agency inputs)