Shimla, June 11
In a distressing incident underscoring the rising intolerance against a community in India, Umar Qureshi, a Muslim street vendor, was allegedly assaulted by members of the BJP, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) & Bajrang Dal in Banganga, Himachal Pradesh.
Qureshi, a resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, recounted the attack in a video posted on social media, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), VHP, and Bajrang Dal members of targeting him for his Muslim identity.
According to Qureshi, the assailants approached him while he was selling clothes and asked for his name. Upon discovering that he was Muslim, they began to humiliate him and demanded that he chant “Jai Shri Ram.” When Qureshi refused, the attackers brutally beat him, resulting in a fractured hand. During the assault, the attackers reportedly proclaimed, “Now our government (Bharatiya Janata Party) has come to power. You will no longer be allowed to exist.”
Qureshi also alleged that the police failed to assist him despite his detailed account of the incident. He claimed that when he attempted to file a complaint at the police station, the officer on duty refused to register a First Information Report (FIR). This lack of police action has raised concerns about the protection and rights of minority communities in the region.
The incident occurred on June 9 in Bangana, Una district of Himachal Pradesh, where Qureshi, along with other Muslim youths from Meerut, had come to sell clothes. The situation has drawn significant attention to the climate of fear and hostility faced by Muslims in various parts of India.
When approached for comment, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Una district Urjeet Sen stated that no such complaint had been brought to his attention. He assured that if the victim were to present himself at the police station, appropriate action would be taken.
This incident has occurred shortly after the Congress party won a bye-election from the Kutlehar constituency in Una on June 4, adding to the political tensions in the area.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
