Muslim auto driver beaten for allegedly refusing to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’
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Bengaluru: A 35-year-old Muslim auto rickshaw driver was allegedly assaulted by a group of eight men in Bengaluru on Sunday after he reportedly refused to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
The victim, Waseem Ahmed, said the incident occurred while he and his friend Sameer were driving through Hegde Nagar. They had stopped at a vacant site when a group of men approached them and questioned their identities. According to Ahmed, the situation escalated after the men realised he was a Muslim. “While I was trying to reason with them, they realised my identity and started attacking me,” he told The Hindu.
Ahmed further alleged that the group demanded he chant “Jai Shri Ram,” and when he refused, they became violent. “They got furious and started to punch and kick me,” he said, adding that Sameer managed to flee while the assault continued. He noted that one of the attackers eventually intervened and helped him escape.
Following the attack, Ahmed filed a complaint at the Sampigehalli police station and was sent for a medical examination. A medico-legal case filed at the hospital confirmed that he had sustained significant injuries, including suspected internal damage and reduced hearing in his right ear, The Indian Express reported.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sajeeth VJ said that the complaint did not mention any provocation related to religious slogans. However, Ahmed maintains that he had informed police about the demand to chant the slogan during his statement.
A case has been registered against the unidentified suspects under various charges, including intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, criminal intimidation, assault, and wrongful restraint.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have recorded statements from witnesses, including a watchman from a nearby location. According to an unnamed officer quoted by The Indian Express, the witnesses did not observe the men forcing Ahmed to chant anything. Authorities are continuing efforts to determine the motive behind the assault.