Hindutva goons shoot dead Muslim man, injure another in Uttar Pradesh
Claim ‘revenge’ for Pahalgam attack
Lucknow: In yet another instance of growing Hindu radicalism in India, a 25-year-old Muslim man was shot dead and another injured by Hindutva goons in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the deceased has been identified as Muhammad Gulfam. The incident took place in the Taj city area of Agra when Gulfam, the owner of a restaurant, was closing his shop. Three assailants on a motorbike opened fire, killing him on the spot. Gulfam’s cousin, Saif Ali, was also shot but survived with a bullet injury to his neck.
Speaking to the media, Saif Ali recounted that two men approached them after parking a scooter nearby. “After exchanging a few greetings, they suddenly pulled out a pistol and shot him,” he said. Gulfam was declared brought dead at a local hospital.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video surfaced on Instagram in which two self-styled gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) claimed responsibility for the shooting. They said the attack was carried out to avenge the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam.
In the video, one of the men identified himself as Manoj Chaudhary, a member of the Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal. Armed with a pistol and knives, he said: “Two Muslims were killed in Taj city Agra. Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal takes full responsibility. We swear on Bharat Mata—if we don’t avenge the 26 with 2,600, I am not a true son of Bharat Mata. Jai Shri Ram, Jai Hindu Rashtra.” His associate, whose identity remains unknown, was also seen carrying weapons.
