In a troubling case that highlights the growing tensions surrounding debates on religious institutions, a retired Army officer was assaulted by a cab driver and his associates while en route from Kanpur to Lucknow. The reported trigger: a casual phone conversation regarding the ongoing national controversy around the Waqf Board and the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.
The victim, Colonel (Retd.) Suryapratap Singh, currently serving with the District Sainik Rehabilitation Welfare Board in Kanpur, had hired a cab for his intercity journey on the morning of Saturday, April 5. According to his statement to the police and later to the media, Singh was engaged in a private phone call with a friend during the ride, wherein he made some general comments about the Waqf Board and the ongoing legislative discussions about its powers and alleged misuse.
Unknown to him, the driver—identified as Wasim—allegedly took offense to the content of Singh’s conversation. Though the driver did not react immediately, Singh claimed that Wasim grew increasingly agitated and eventually stopped the vehicle mid-way near a highway halt. There, Singh was allegedly forcibly dragged out of the cab and physically assaulted by Wasim and a group of his associates, who had reportedly been summoned via phone.
Singh sustained injuries during the incident and later filed a complaint with the local police, naming the cab driver and several unidentified assailants in the First Information Report (FIR). A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and an investigation has been initiated.
Following the assault, Colonel Singh recorded and uploaded a video message on social media, visibly shaken, bruised, and limping. In the video, he alleged that he was specifically targeted for merely discussing the Waqf Board issue, which has lately gained national attention due to multiple reports of encroachments and legal loopholes being exposed.
“This was not just a random act of violence,” Singh said in the video. “I was assaulted for expressing my thoughts on a matter that concerns national interest. I had no idea the driver was listening so intently or would take offense to a personal conversation.”
The video rapidly gained traction online, with widespread outrage and concern pouring in from veterans’ associations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens. Many condemned the assault as a clear infringement on freedom of expression and an alarming example of rising intolerance.
This incident arrives at a time when discussions around the Waqf Board and its legal standing have become increasingly polarised. Multiple states are reviewing land ownership records and facing public backlash over alleged Waqf encroachments and the lack of accountability in the Board’s functioning. The proposed amendments to the Waqf Act have led to demonstrations, social media campaigns, and heated debates on television and digital platforms.
A senior police officer, speaking to the press, confirmed that the FIR has been lodged and that the accused cab driver is being traced. “No one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” the officer said. “We are committed to a fair and thorough investigation. Any attempt to stifle free speech or target individuals for their views will not be tolerated.”
Veterans’ forums have since issued statements demanding justice for Singh and calling upon the administration to ensure the safety of ex-servicemen and common citizens alike. Meanwhile, legal experts argue that the incident is symbolic of a larger issue — the growing criminalisation of everyday conversations and the shrinking space for civil discourse in India.
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