Bhopal, May 12 (IANS) Hundreds of members of the Muslim community staged a protest in Bhopal on Tuesday against the assault and alleged public humiliation of a Muslim youth at a hotel in Govindpura two days ago.
Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and alleged that police personnel present during the incident failed to stop the attackers.
The demonstration, led by Bhopal City Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi, also carried a warning that the community would call for a city-wide shutdown if the accused were not arrested within 24 hours.
The protest began at the Kaziyat premises, where community members gathered to condemn both the attack and the alleged use of objectionable language during the incident.
Addressing the crowd, Qazi Nadvi described the assault as an attack not only on an individual but also on communal harmony and religious sentiments.
The protesters later marched to the Police Control Room, raising slogans and demanding strict action.
Congress legislators Arif Masood and Atif Aqueel, along with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Mohsin Ali, joined the demonstration.
Community representatives submitted a memorandum to Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar demanding immediate arrests and departmental action against police personnel allegedly negligent during the incident.
“This matter is not limited merely to physical assault; religious sentiments have been deeply hurt through the use of offensive language,” Qazi Nadvi said.
He alleged that police personnel present at the spot failed to intervene and instead allowed the attackers to continue.
“Police personnel were present at the scene, yet they abetted the perpetrators. Such incidents create fear and vitiate the atmosphere in Bhopal,” he added.
Later, while briefing the press, Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the police were examining all aspects of the case, including the conduct of officers present at the scene.
“The police personnel present during the incident would also be interrogated. If they are found to be at fault, departmental action will be initiated against them,” Kumar said.
He added that a criminal case had already been registered and teams were working to identify and arrest the accused.
“The investigation is currently underway, and the police are examining video footage of the incident. Additionally, the search for the accused remains ongoing,” the Commissioner said.
The incident occurred on Sunday at a hotel in Gautam Nagar under Govindpura police station limits, where a group of men allegedly dragged out a Muslim youth identified as Arif Khan, assaulted him, stripped him half-naked, and smeared ink and cow dung on his face after accusing him of being with a woman from another faith.
Police said the woman stated she had been in a live-in relationship with Khan for 5 years and had voluntarily accompanied him.
–IANS
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