Two Muslims including 72-year-old journalist die in Indian police custody
Lucknow/Patna: A 72-year-old journalist and social activist and a 25-year-old Muslim man have died in Indian police custody in the BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.
According to Kashmir Media Service, 72-year-old journalist and social activist Parvez Parwaz, who had sought a judicial investigation into a speech delivered by BJP leader, now CM Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur in 2007, died in Gorakhpur District Jail. He was serving a life sentence in a case alleged to be fabricated.
*Parwaz exposed Adityanath’s hate speech*
Parwaz came into the spotlight after recording an inflammatory speech delivered by Adityanath, then a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Gorakhpur, at a public meeting on January 27, 2007. The speech was delivered when the city was tense following a clash during a Muharram procession, in which a Hindu youth was injured and later died.
Parwaz recorded the speech with his camera. He subsequently approached the court, seeking an investigation into Adityanath’s role in inciting the violence that erupted in the city.
The speech included remarks about retaliatory violence against those held responsible for the Hindu youth’s death. The ensuing unrest left at least two people dead and caused extensive property damage, according to accounts of the riots.
Adityanath was quoted as saying, “In the coming time, for the blood of one Hindu, we will not get an FIR registered against the administration, but will instead have at least 10 such people killed.” The crowd applauded.
*Muslim man dies in police custody*
In another BJP-ruled state, Bihar, a 25-year-old Muslim man identified as Dilshad Ansari died in police custody in Champaran district.
*Demand for high-level probe*
Dilshad’s family has called for a high-level investigation into his death. His wife, Nagma Khatoon, told the media that a police team arrived at their home on Monday and took Dilshad into custody.
She said the officers assured the family that he would be released the following morning after questioning.
However, the family later received a call from Banuchhapar police station asking them to come to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Bettiah. They were reportedly told that Ansari had fallen ill.
“When we reached the hospital, we found him dead,” she told the media.
The family said that Dilshad had been beaten and that he died from a head injury. His father, Akhbar Ansari, said police personnel had struck his son hard on the head, causing a serious injury. He demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
Reports said that six police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, had been suspended following the death of the 25-year-old7 Muslim man in police custody.
The incident has also triggered reactions on social media, with several users on X demanding accountability, a fair investigation and justice for Dilshad Ansari’s family.
