Video of Rishabh Thakur, accused in the Bareilly restaurant assault on a Muslim youth, claims victimisation; locals demand strict action to prevent escalation of communal tension
BAREILLY – A new twist has emerged in the assault case of a Muslim youth in the birthday bash of a Hindu girl in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, as a threatening video of the main accused, former Bajrang Dal leader Rishabh Thakur, has gone viral on social media. In the video, Thakur is seen openly defying the police, raising serious concerns about law and order in the city.
In the video, uploaded with background music, Thakur can be heard saying, “If the police think they can mess with us, they’re out of their minds. Whoever messed with us before has never been heard from again.”
Describing himself as a “protector of Hindutva” and a Hindutva activist, Thakur claimed that actions against him were unjust. “The administration is targeting me unnecessarily. What happened at the restaurant has been blown out of proportion. It was just a minor incident,” he added.
According to Thakur’s account, the incident at Rajendra Nagar restaurant stemmed from a simple dispute. He claimed that a girl was present at the restaurant with a Muslim boy, who had booked the café for her birthday. The boy later invited five Muslim friends, while six Hindu girls were also present at the venue. Thakur attempted to frame this as the cause of the disagreement, suggesting that it was later falsely portrayed with a communal angle.
However, local residents and social organisations strongly dispute Thakur’s version of events. “This was an unprovoked attack on a young Muslim man. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, and the law must take its course,” said Abdul Rahman, a local community leader. Another resident commented, “It is shocking that someone accused of assault can openly threaten the police. Authorities must act firmly to maintain peace.”
The video has put Bareilly Police under intense pressure. Officials have yet to issue a clear statement regarding the incident or the viral footage, prompting questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in controlling communal tensions. “If the police fail to act, it sends a dangerous message to the community that threats and violence can go unpunished,” said Faiz Ahmed, a social activist in the city.
Police sources indicated that they are reviewing the viral footage and the entire assault case to ensure strict action against the accused. They face the dual challenge of preventing further violence and maintaining communal harmony in the sensitive area.
The assault on the Muslim youth at Rajendra Nagar restaurant has already caused widespread concern. The viral video by the accused threatens to escalate tensions further, highlighting the urgent need for decisive intervention by local authorities.
“We urge the administration to ensure justice is delivered swiftly, and that communal harmony in Bareilly is not compromised. No individual should be above the law, regardless of their political or social affiliations,” said Imran Khan, a Bareilly-based journalist.
As the city watches closely, residents hope that the police will take firm action against the accused, reaffirming the principle that law and order must be maintained, and the rights of the minority community protected.
