Three Muslim clerics were allegedly beaten up by six young men on a moving train, while they were on their way back from Delhi to their village in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, PTI reported on Thursday. The attackers were yet to be identified, and the police have not yet clarified if it was a communal clash, but a case has been registered.
The clerics boarded a passenger train from Delhi on Wednesday night, Superintendent of Police (Baghpat) Jaiprakash Singh said, according to PTI. Around 11 pm, when they were preparing to get off at Baghpat railway station, six men in their coach allegedly locked the exits and started beating them up, NDTV reported.
One of the victims, Israr, told NDTV that when he asked the attackers why they were hitting him, one of them said, “Rumaal kyon pehente ho?” referring to their scarves. The clerics, Gulzar, Israr and Abrar, also alleged they were thrown off the train, but the police have yet to confirm this.
The victims got down at the Amhaida railway station and began protesting, after which a case was registered at the Baghpat Kotwali police station against six unidentified men, Singh said. The officer-in-charge of the Baghpat Kotwali police station said the case will be transferred to the Railway Police.
Nitin Chaudhary, the Northern Railway chief public relations officer, confirmed the assault, ANI reported.
In a similar case earlier this year, a 16-year-old boy was killed on a train from Delhi. Junaid Khan and three of his brothers had boarded a local train at Delhi’s Sadar Bazar Station. A fight broke out between the brothers and a few passengers over seats. The incident turned communal after a mob allegedly called the four “anti-nationals” and “beef eaters” and threw their skull caps on the floor.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!