A Muslim man travelling on the Manmad Kakinada Shirdi Express has alleged that he was assaulted by a group of around 20 people on the train after being identified by his religious appearance.
Mohammad Imran was travelling to Latur when the incident took place near Hafizpet railway station. He said the attack happened after railway staff and other men noticed his skullcap and beard. His companion, who tried to protect him, was also beaten.
Imran said the trouble began when railway staff tried to assault a man who was allegedly travelling without a ticket in the AC coach. “When the railway staff were beating him, I and some others tried to stop them. After that, they started targeting me,” Imran said.
He alleged that the attackers pulled his beard, removed his skullcap and threw it away before beating him badly. “They beat me so much that I started bleeding from my mouth. My friend was also beaten, and his phone was snatched,” he said.
Imran claimed the assault was clearly linked to their religious identity. “They targeted my cap and beard. This was done only because of who we are,” he said.
According to Imran, repeated appeals for help went unanswered. “We requested the TTE and the railway police, but no one helped us. That is when Aadil Khan from Bidar tried to save us,” he said.
He further alleged that when they tried to get down at Bidar to seek help, they were not allowed to deboard. “I was forced to stay on the train till Latur. My friend’s phone is still with them, and some money was also lost or taken,” Imran said.
Imran said he is now filing a formal complaint at Hafizpet railway station. “I want justice. This should not happen to anyone just because they wear a cap and have a beard. This is an injustice,” he told the media.
