In the bustling city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, a distressing incident unfolded on Sunday, March 17, involving a Hindu shop owner named Mukesh. Allegedly, Mukesh fell victim to an attack by a group of Islamists while playing Hanuman Chalisa and other Hindu devotional songs in his shop, situated near a mosque on Jumma Masjid Road in the Siddanna Galli area.
According to a report, Mukesh runs a shop named Vardhaman Telecom in Siddanna Galli. CCTV footage captured the harrowing event, revealing approximately 5 to 6 individuals entering Mukesh’s shop on Sunday evening.
Initially, a verbal altercation erupted, as depicted in the footage. However, tensions quickly escalated, culminating in a physical assault as the accused youths forcefully dragged Mukesh out of his shop and subjected him to a brutal attack. Despite valiantly attempting to defend himself, Mukesh was overpowered and knocked to the ground.
𝐀 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐦𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐩𝐞𝐭, 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚.
Freedom of Religion only for minorities?… pic.twitter.com/ZxgHPuwiLd— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) March 18, 2024
Reflecting on the incident, Mukesh recounted to media, “As usual in the shop, I used to sing bhajans in the evening during the puja. They came to the shop and asked, ‘Why are you playing bhajans during our Azaan time?’ They then proceeded to attack him and initially tried to stop him. First, he took the speaker and hit me on the head. It was as if he had a weapon in his hand. That’s why it hurt so much.”
Mukesh further alleged that since the inauguration of his shop two months prior, the accused individuals had been intimidating him, engaging in what he described as “roll calls” and attempting to extort money from him.
In response to the appalling attack, Mukesh lodged a formal complaint at Halasuru Gate Police Station, urging authorities to register an FIR. However, reports surfaced indicating a reluctance on the part of the police to initiate the FIR against the accused.
Subsequently, in light of mounting pressure from a sizable gathering of local traders outside the police station, authorities relented and registered an FIR, prompting an official investigation into the matter.
Speaking to the media, the in-charge of Halasuru Gate Police Station confirmed the arrest of three primary accused individuals, identified as Suleiman, Shahnawaz, and Rohit.
While refuting allegations of police negligence, the officer acknowledged the presence of approximately a hundred protesters outside the police station on Sunday, denying any communal implications in the incident. According to the officer, the altercation arose from a dispute over playing a song near the mosque, devoid of religious or communal motivations.
Addressing concerns regarding the delay in FIR registration, the officer clarified that an FIR was promptly lodged, emphasising the ongoing investigative efforts to uncover the truth behind the altercation.
Regarding the protest, the officer revealed that around a hundred individuals from the Nagarapet and Kumbarpet areas converged outside the police station, contributing to a disruptive atmosphere.
This disturbing incident underscores the imperative for swift and impartial justice, while also highlighting the need for communal harmony and understanding in diverse communities.
When queried about the measures being taken to apprehend the remaining suspects, the officer stated, “An inquiry is currently underway. Once the inquiry is completed, all individuals involved will be arrested.”
Criticism was voiced by BJP Karnataka Chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Monday regarding the altercation. Yediyurappa attributed the incident to what he characterised as the appeasement politics of the Congress party.
“Following incidents such as the chanting of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in Vidhan Soudha and a bomb explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe, now a Hindu shopkeeper in Bengaluru was viciously assaulted for playing the Hanuman Chalisa. The appeasement policies of the @INCKarnataka administration are pushing Karnataka into a radical state with an absolute breakdown of law and order,” the BJP leader expressed on X.
Yediyurappa squarely placed blame on Chief Minister Siddarmaiah for the assault and urged the city police to promptly arrest the individuals responsible.
“I hold CM @siddaramaiah & his govt accountable for this attack on Hindus & Hindu establishments. His appeasement politics has encouraged barbarians to run rampant in the state. I strongly urge @CPBlr to act on this & arrest the anti-social elements immediately without bowing down to the pressure of @INCKarnataka,” Yediyurappa emphasised in his post on X.
Additionally, BJP leader PC Mohan alleged that the assault on the man exemplified what he termed as the grim reality of the Congress party’s Mohabbat Ki Dukaan.
“In Bengaluru, a poor Hindu man was assaulted by a Muslim mob for allegedly playing the Hanuman Chalisa. The grim reality of Congress’s Mohabbat Ki Dukaan,” BJP leader PC Mohan underscored in his post on X.
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