A 20-year-old Muslim youth, Gulfam, was allegedly assaulted and forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday evening, according to his family. However, the police have refuted parts of the allegation, describing it as a case of personal enmity.
Gulfam’s father, Aftab, said the incident occurred when his son, a national-level shooting aspirant, was returning home from practice at a shooting range. Gulfam was reportedly accosted by three men on a motorcycle, who took him to Victoria Park, where they allegedly beat him, stripped him, and forced him to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
The family also claimed that the attackers snatched Gulfam’s mobile phone and left him unconscious after the assault. Gulfam is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Meerut.
The Meerut police have denied the claims of forced chanting and stripping. Mahavir Singh, SHO of Civil Lines police station, stated, “There is no mention of the victim being forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or being stripped in the FIR. This appears to be a case of enmity between youths.”
Circle Officer Abhishek Tiwari confirmed that an FIR has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and Section 324 (mischief).
“Efforts are being made to arrest the accused,” SHO Singh added.
Gulfam, a resident of Sofipur village, is preparing for a national shooting competition. His family expressed concern over the attack, highlighting the potential impact on his mental and physical well-being.
