VHP, Bajrang Dal members brutally assault Muslim youth in Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi: Fear gripped the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj district after a young man, Hasnain, was brutally attacked by workers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident, which occurred on Sunday, has once again raised questions about mob violence and targeted harassment of Muslims in the states ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party.
Hasnain, a resident of Chamunda Gate, was accused by members of Hindu organisations of carrying banned meat near Mallah Nagar village. Without any confirmation, he was surrounded and beaten in broad daylight.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers did not wait for any official confirmation. They pounced on Hasnain, shouting religious slogans and hurling abuses, while some filmed the attack. The video, now viral on social media, shows multiple men punching, kicking, and thrashing the helpless youth.
“They were not interested in facts. They just wanted to teach a Muslim a lesson,” said a local resident on condition of anonymity.
Police from Soron police station arrived at the scene and managed to rescue Hasnain from the angry mob. He was then taken to a hospital for treatment. The meat found in his bag was sent for laboratory testing.
Despite being the victim, Hasnain was taken into police custody for questioning. The double standard did not go unnoticed.
“Why is the victim being treated like a criminal?” asked Saleem, a community elder from Kasganj. “Our boys are being beaten in public, and instead of arresting the attackers, police are interrogating the injured.”
Police officials said they are investigating the case from “all angles” and have sent the meat sample to the lab. They also claimed to have pacified the Hindu protesters by promising a fair investigation.
The incident has triggered fear among Muslims in the area. Several families said they no longer feel safe travelling with food or meat in public.
“Even if it is mutton or chicken, we are afraid someone will accuse us of carrying beef and attack us,” said Abdul Hafeez, a meat shop owner. “What happened to Hasnain could happen to anyone.”
Activists and minority rights groups condemned the assault, calling it part of a larger pattern of mob violence targeting Muslims under the excuse of cow protection or meat transportation.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened in Uttar Pradesh,” said human rights campaigner Zainab Naqvi. “There is an attempt to create fear among Muslims through public humiliation and violence.”
