Video shows transgender Bipasha Manikam and associates assaulting Muslim youth near a cattle truck; authorities urged to act against the culprits
PUNE – A disturbing incident in Maharashtra’s Pune has caused anger online after a video appeared to show a Muslim youth being beaten and forced to eat cow dung by a group led by a transgender individual who is said to be linked with a Hindutva group.
The 25-second video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows the young man being slapped and humiliated while standing near a vehicle loaded with cattle. The accused in the video has been identified as Bipasha Manikam, a transgender person, who was accompanied by several associates.
In the footage, the group can be seen surrounding the victim and verbally abusing him. At one point, Bipasha Manikam is heard telling the youth, “Ami eats meat with roti, and you eat dung with roti.” She then appears to slap him while others stand nearby.
The victim repeatedly pleads with them to stop. In the video, he can be heard asking the group to let him go, but the assault continues. The accused are also seen forcing cow dung into the youth’s mouth.
The incident has triggered strong reactions online, with many users calling it a serious act of humiliation and violence against a member of the Muslim community.
Reports circulating online claim that Bipasha Manikam and the other people present in the video are connected with a Hindutva organisation. The identities of the other individuals in the clip have not yet been publicly confirmed.
In the video, the accused also makes remarks accusing Muslims of posting abusive messages on social media. During the assault, Bipasha says, “You people plead here and then go and abuse on social media.”
Observers say the language used in the clip suggests the attack may have been motivated by religious hostility.
At the time of reporting, there has been no clear public statement about action taken by the police regarding the viral video. The lack of immediate information about arrests or investigations has raised concern among members of the minority community.
A social activist in Pune, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident was deeply troubling.
“Forcing someone to eat cow dung and beating him in public is a cruel and degrading act. Authorities must investigate the video and ensure justice,” the activist said.
Another resident said the video had created fear among many people. “When such things happen openly and are recorded on video, people feel unsafe. The law must act quickly,” he said.
This is not the first time Bipasha Manikam has faced allegations of targeting Muslim businesses.
On 14 February, she reportedly went to a biryani restaurant in the Ambegaon Budruk area of Pune along with supporters. According to local reports, the group demanded that the restaurant be shut down permanently.
Manikam claimed the restaurant was hurting Hindu religious sentiments. During the incident, the group allegedly abused Muslim workers and used offensive language.
Witnesses said the accused also threatened the restaurant owner. One staff member later told local reporters that Manikam warned the owner that the shop would be burnt if it was not closed.
“They abused us and told the owner to shut the shop or face serious consequences,” a worker reportedly said.
The Pune incident comes at a time when several violent incidents involving Muslims have been reported from different parts of India in recent days.
Community leaders say the latest video has again raised questions about the safety and dignity of minority groups.
A member of a local community organisation said the authorities must act firmly. “No person should be attacked or humiliated because of their religion. The government must show that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said.
Authorities are expected to examine the viral video and identify those involved. Legal experts say that if the footage is confirmed as genuine, the acts shown could lead to serious criminal charges, including assault, intimidation and promoting communal hostility.
Meanwhile, calls for accountability continue to grow on social media, with many users urging the police to register a case and protect the victim.
