At a time when the world is facing barbaric attacks on innocent people by men groomed with Islamic fanaticism, a Hindu man witnessed an attack in Maharashtra. He was thrashed and attacked with iron rods for expressing his devotion to Bhagwan Ram by playing bhajans in his own car. Some Islamists got offended by this and launched an attack on him on October 9.
Following the attack the Maharashtra Police registered a case against four individuals, identified as—Adnan Sheikh, Mobin Sheikh, Shahbaz Sheikh, and Abdul Sayyed—for viciously assaulting a young man named Amit Pardeshi for playing Bhagwan Rama’s devotional songs. The assailants not only threatened Amit but also attacked him with iron rods, causing severe injuries.
This incident occurred in the Mundhwa area of Pune district in Maharashtra. Amit, who sustained head injuries, lost consciousness following the assault and was promptly transported to the hospital. He is currently receiving medical treatment.
What says the FIR?
The event transpired on the evening of October 8. According to the FIR, Amit was driving with his friends in a Swift car around 11:30 p.m. He had Hindu devotional songs playing on the car’s speakers. At this point, the accused individuals approached on a motorcycle and intercepted the car. They proceeded to threaten and caution Amit against playing songs of Bhagwan Ram in what they deemed as ‘their’ locality.
According to the FIR (number: 328/2023, registered at the Mundhwa PS of Pune), initially, the victim requested the accused to let him pass as there was an emergency at his friend’s house. However, the accused blocked the car and inquired, “Where are you going, and why are you playing the Ram Bhajans here?” The victim then stepped out of the car and asked them to leave. Subsequently, more associates of the accused arrived, verbally abusing and threatening the victim with death. They warned him against playing such songs in the area at that hour.
The altercation escalated, and the accused allegedly attacked the victim with an iron rod on his head. The victim’s friends intervened to help and attempted to calm the situation. Unfortunately, the victim lost consciousness and had to be rushed to the hospital.
The accused cautioned, “Refrain from playing such songs loudly in this area from now on. Otherwise, you’ll face severe consequences. Learn to respect your boundaries.”
Attacked for playing Ram Bhajan
It is noteworthy that the Mundhwa region in Pune predominantly comprises a Muslim population. Amit’s friend, Ramkrushna Macharla, who lodged the complaint, stated, “Amit and I were together when the incident occurred. We had spent the entire day together. In the evening, my mother called me, informing me of an emergency at home and that she needed my assistance. Amit and I were en route from Camp to the Balajinagar area in his car, with one of my friends accompanying us. As soon as we reached the Balajinagar area, the accused arrived on bikes and blocked the car from the opposite direction. They threatened Amit for playing Ram tunes and proceeded to verbally abuse and physically assault him. We attempted to defuse the situation, but the accused then struck Amit’s head with iron rods.”
Ramkhushna, aged 24, stated that the assault was instigated by the accused, resulting in severe head injuries to the victim.
Islamists booked under charges of ‘attempt to murder’
As per a report by OpIndia, PI Vishnu Tamhane confirmed the incident, stating, “The victim and his friends were attacked by the accused for playing loud music in the area. The victim sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at the hospital. Since the accused and the victim resided in the same area, they were familiar with each other. The accused have been booked and taken into custody. The situation is currently peaceful, and investigations are ongoing.”
The four accused, identified as Adnan Sheikh, Mobin Sheikh, Shahbaz Sheikh, and Abdul Sayyed, have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Investigations are underway.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapon), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 452 (house trespass), 504 (intentionally insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), 141 (unlawful assembly), 143 (members of unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful act done by members of unlawful assembly), and 34 (act done by several people with common intention). Additionally, multiple sections of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951—such as 37 (1), 37 (3), and 135—have been invoked against the accused.
Police issued notice to social activists group LRO
Shockingly, the details of the case were posted by a social activist group called Legal Rights Observatory, following the post the cyber police of Pune issued a notice to the group asking removal of the post. The police accused the organisation of spreading “Communal Violence”.
As per LRO, they are not going to remove the post and will be fighting the case in court.
Informing about the unjust action, LRO wrote on social media platform X, “Obnoxious! Pune Cyber Police
issued notice to #LRO intimidating to remove the following tweet, accusing us of spreading “Communal Violence!” FIR in Amit Pardeshi attack case in our possession clearly mentioned “Shriram Bhajan” as a reason for attack! Our lawyers will thoroughly reply police notice n shall deal with them legally! The police behaviour shows that they are well committed to whitewash #Jihadi crimes n muzzle voices demanding action! We urge HM to weed out elements within state law enforcement agencies which are actively/ passively supporting radical elements detrimental to national interest!”
Obnoxious!
Pune Cyber Police @CPPuneCity @PuneCityPolice issued notice to #LRO intimidating to remove following tweet, accusing us of spreading “Communal Violence!”
FIR in Amit Pardeshi attack case in our possession clearly mentioned “Shriram Bhajan” as a reason for attack!
Our… https://t.co/VfApwFYP3d— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) October 10, 2023
Earlier they have posted about the attack on Hindu man Amit by Islamists, purely due to religious hatred. The organisation wrote on social media platform X, “Youth Amit Pardeshi brutally thrashed by mob of 50 #Jihadis under Mundhwa PS, Hadpsar for playing Shriram Bhajan in private car! Instead of arresting #Jihadi gang; Pune Police detained #Hindu youths for WA status condemning attack! We urge HM @Dev_Fadnavis to immediately intervene n expedite action against radicals!”
