A Muslim man was allegedly attacked by a group of men on motorbikes celebrating Holi in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat on Friday.
Shamim was on his way to his home when he was intercepted by a group of drunk men celebrating Holi in the Kotwali area on Nirojpur Road. Upon learning that he is a Muslim, the attackers mercilessly thrashed him with bricks and sticks, his family said.
One of the attackers is identified as Parvesh. The attack was recorded in a video that has gone viral on social media prompting a police investigation.
The video shows at least six men involved in the attack. Shamim was beaten before he was rescued by locals. The attackers couldn’t be caught as they quickly fled the scene.
A complaint was lodged by Shamim in Kotwali police station.
The police denied the incident had any links to Holi celebration, stating, “The fight was over alcohol, not religion or Holi.” They said the incident happened on March 14 when Shamim and Pravesh were drinking at a brick kiln and a scuffle broke out between them, leading to the fight. “Pravesh has been taken into custody, and action is being taken against others,” the police added.
Meanwhile, social media users expressed their deep concerns over similar attacks happening in the country during festivals while many questioned the causes of such incidents.
