Vikas Pandey and his minor knees (from left to right, Organiser)
Vikas Pandey, a Hindu resident in a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, filed a complaint on October 10, against nine identified and several unidentified Islamists. He resides in a remote village situated in Gazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Vikas narrowly escaped a brutal mob assault after he raised his voice against the injustices perpetrated by local Islamists, leaving him severely injured.
On the day of the incident, Vikas’s sister, returning from a coaching centre, was accosted by some local men who proceeded to harass her. When Vikas chanced upon the scene, he intervened, prompting the perpetrators to flee. One of them engaged in an argument and departed, while villagers gathered to mediate.
Within moments, a mob of over 50 people descended upon Vikas’s residence, initiating a heated altercation. Some forcibly dragged him from his home and subjected him to a merciless beating. One of the assailants wielded a dagger resembling a claw, targeting Vikas’s head. With the help of other family members, Vikas was ultimately rescued. Also injured in the fracas was Yogendra Pandey, who sustained a fractured hand.
What says the FIR?
A First Information Report (number–167/2023) was registered in this case at the Dildarnagar police station on October 10, by Vikas Pandey.
In his complaint to the police he informed how his sister was returning from the coaching and near Maveer temple Bhadaura started harassing her and when he saw them, the accused men left in a vehicle. He lives in Mahna Kala village and following this encounter the accused men identified as Aizaz Khan, Shamshad Khan, Kashid Khan, Sajid Khan, Ashif, Aftab, Fekan, Raja and others brutally lynched him and his knees Yogenrda. While leaving the house, they issued death threats as well.
Police nabbed 4 accused
Organiser called up Station House Officer Mahesh Pal Singh on October 12. He informed us that four of the accused persons named in the FIR have been arrested and the teams are tracking the other culprits.
Based on his complaint, the accused have been booked under IPC sections 147 (rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (assault), 354 (assault using criminal force to a woman), 452 (house trespass), 504 (intentionally insulting), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
Vikas shared his ordeal with Organiser
Organiser also called Vikas on October 12, when he was discharged from the hospital in Gazipur and returned to his village. Vikas disclosed that he had sustained around 18 wounds on his head, inflicted by attackers wielding a claw-like dagger. He recounted how he had intervened when he witnessed men harassing his sister, only to find himself targeted and falsely accused.
Vikas, a farmer residing in the village, is currently overseeing the construction of a temple on Hindu land, amidst a predominantly Muslim populace. He explained that the demographic makeup of the area is skewed, with over 1500 Muslim voters and a mere 200 Hindus.
He narrated, “Madam, when I caught them harassing my sister, I confronted one of them. Then, the locals intervened, averting an immediate altercation. I warned him that I would inform his father about the incident.”
Samajwadi Party connection
Before he could do anything, the antagonists, accompanied by the village head, Shamshad, arrived at Vikas’s residence, sparking a dispute. Vikas hastily returned home on his bike, but the disagreement swiftly escalated into a physical altercation. The Islamists soon dragged him from his house and subjected him to a brutal beating. Yogendra tried to intervene, but he too was overpowered by the assailants.
Vikas revealed that the attack was not solely a response to his sister’s harassment and his actions. He stated that he had filed an RTI (Right to Information plea) in 2018, seeking information about fund allocation and projects under the previous village head, Shamshad. This RTI could potentially have exposed an embezzlement of Rs 80 lakh by them. Currently, his daughter-in-law holds the position of village head.
Vikas also alleged that Shamshad, linked to MLA and Samajwadi Party leader Om Prakash Singh, enjoys impunity for his actions. Despite having a POCSO case against him, Shamshad remains at large, according to Vikas.
Hindus live in terror
He emphasized that this incident is not isolated, and Hindu individuals have been subjected to similar attacks while trying to protect their sisters and daughters. In 2020, these same Islamists killed Dhananjay Yadav in a similar manner as they attacked Vikas. Just two months prior, they targeted Dhananjay Kushwaha in a comparable fashion, who lost his life.
A few months back, tensions grew in the village over the allocation of land to Islamists for a graveyard. Shamshad was embroiled in an altercation that involved gunfire, resulting in injuries to eight individuals.
Regarding the mistreatment of Hindus in the village, Vikas lamented that for the past two years, they have been unable to celebrate Holi properly due to interference by Muslims who obstructed the DJ. Police intervention was required each time to prevent clashes. The Shiv Mandir was pelted with stones for two consecutive months until police intervention was sought in the locality.
He concluded, “How could I have stood by while he harassed my sister, ma’am? That’s why I confronted him. If they will do this again, I will beat him up, no matter if aI lose my life”.
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