Incidents in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar leave families grieving and raise questions about fairness in investigations amid claims of bias
NEW DELHI – A string of violent deaths across four states in India during the first week of March has left the nation in shock and led to widespread debate about the role of police and possible communal motives. The cases, which involve victims and accused from different communities, have highlighted worries about how law enforcement responds differently depending on the backgrounds of those involved. All the states—Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar—are currently governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its alliances, adding to the scrutiny. Here is a detailed look at each case in the order they occurred.
The earliest reported incident took place in Bihar’s Madhubani district on 28 February, where a Muslim woman named Roushan Khatoon was allegedly assaulted by a group after she went to the local village head’s house to seek help in a dispute. Residents said she was tied to a pole, beaten badly, and even forced to drink a mixture of alcohol and urine while she was fasting for Ramadan. She suffered serious injuries and died on 1 March at Patna Medical College and Hospital.
A resident told reporters, “She just wanted justice for a small matter, but they attacked her without mercy. When she asked for water, they gave her something horrible instead.” Police have arrested the village head’s son, Manu Singh, and are questioning others. The family has called for strong action, but no bulldozer demolitions have been reported despite claims that the accused’s home has illegal parts. Officials said, “We are identifying all those present and will take strict steps.” The case has drawn criticism for slow police response, with no high-level visits yet.
Just a day later, on 1 March, another tragedy struck in Bihar’s Darbhanga district. A 65-year-old Muslim man, Abdul Salam, was beaten to death with an iron rod in Jhagruwa village after he objected to abusive and communal remarks during a fight over stolen bricks. The accused, including Manish Kumar Ram, his brother Roshan Kumar Ram, and their mother Vimla Devi, attacked him, causing severe head injuries. He was rushed to a health centre but was declared dead.
A police officer said, “The argument started over bricks, but it turned ugly when bad words were used against a community. We have arrested four people and are hunting for the rest.” District officials, including the DM and SSP, visited the area to calm tensions and promised fair action. Abdul Salam’s family, however, questioned the police’s speed, saying: “If the roles were reversed, things would move much faster.” Again, no demolitions have occurred, even though locals claim the accused’s property has issues.
Moving to Rajasthan, on the night of 2-3 March, a 28-year-old Muslim truck driver named Aamir from Haryana’s Palla village was killed near Bhiwadi in Alwar district. His family alleges that cow vigilantes linked to Bajrang Dal rammed his pickup truck, stopped it, and shot him in the head, accusing him of cow smuggling. They insist he was carrying vegetables, not cattle, and was targeted because of his faith.
A family member said, “They crashed into his vehicle on purpose and fired without a word. He had nothing to do with cows—he was just earning for his wife and child.” Police described it as a clash with stone-throwing, but a post-mortem is awaited to confirm the cause of death. An FIR names Bajrang Dal members, but no arrests have been made public yet. Critics point out that in past similar cases in Alwar, like those of Pehlu Khan and Rakbar Khan, investigations have been slow, raising doubts about protection for the accused.
In Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, on 2 March, a 13-year-old Muslim boy, Unez Khan (also reported as Unaiz Khan), was shot in the head during a friend’s birthday party in Krishna Nagar. He was a Class 7 student who had been fasting and was reluctant to go but joined his friends. Police call it an accidental firing by minors handling a licensed revolver owned by the host, Sanjeev Tripathi, a relative of UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak.
The boy’s father said: “It was no accident—the bullet hit right in the forehead. If the accused were from our community, police would have acted differently.” An FIR names six people, including three minors, who have been detained. The family alleges a cover-up and demands a deeper probe. No demolitions or swift high-level actions have been seen here either.
Finally, in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar on 4 March, during Holi celebrations, a 26-year-old man named Tarun Kumar was beaten to death in a clash that started over a water balloon hitting a neighbour. The fight escalated between two families from different communities, with old grudges over parking and garbage. Tarun was attacked with rods and bricks by a group of 15-20 people and died the next day.
His father said, “They lured him back with a false alarm and killed him. We want a CBI probe because police aren’t sharing details.” Police arrested seven people, including a minor, and added SC/ST Act sections, hinting at caste angles. The Municipal Corporation demolished “illegal” parts of the main accused’s house using bulldozers. Hindu groups protested, set fires, and demanded action, leading to heavy security. The family has appealed to the PM and CM for justice, with officials promising compensation and strict punishment.
These five cases share common threads: inter-community involvement and questions about police fairness. In the four cases where Muslim victims faced the accused from the majority community, families complain of slow arrests and no demolitions. In the Delhi case, where the victim was from the majority community, action was quick, including bulldozers. Opposition leaders have called this a pattern in BJP-ruled states, but police deny communal bias, saying each case is handled on facts.
A senior officer in one state said, “We act based on evidence, not communities. Investigations are ongoing in all.” Human rights groups urge impartial probes to restore trust. As tensions simmer, many hope for quick justice to prevent more unrest.
