NEW DELHI — A disturbing case of violence has emerged from Northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad area, where two teenage Muslim students were brutally assaulted while they were returning from their board exams, triggering concerns and fear among the minority community.
The attac took place on March 16 when17-year-old Mohammad Faizan and his friend, who shares the same name, were returning after writing their exams at a government boys’ school in Tukhmirpur, according to media reports.
According to sources, the boys were approached from behind by a group of men who asked their names. After identifying them, the attackers drove away the Hindu students who were accompanying them and then singled out the two Muslim teenagers. Mohammad Faizan, had been observing Ramadan fasts and was wearing a skullcap after offering afternoon prayers, making his religious identity visible.
The attackers used sticks and other objects, physically assaulting the boys in a sustained and violent manner. Mohammad Faizan reportedly suffered severe injuries after being struck on the head and slammed against a parked vehicle, which caused him to lose consciousness. He sustained a fractured nose, facial injuries requiring stitches, and continued bleeding even after initial medical care.
Classmates who had fled the scene later returned and alerted authorities. The injured students were first taken to a nearby hospital and subsequently shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for further treatment. Faizan’s condition was described as serious even after he was discharged home.
Family members have expressed deep distress over the incident. His brother, Mohammad Rashid, spoke about how the boys had been balancing exam pressure while observing Ramadan and were looking forward to Eid celebrations, only to face such violence. The family has called for a thorough investigation, including examination of CCTV footage, and questioned whether appropriate charges reflecting the nature of the attack have been included in the police report.
The incident has intensified anxiety among residents in the area, particularly within the Muslim community. Many families are reportedly hesitant to allow children to go out alone. Rashid emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and mutual respect, while also voicing concern about safety and rising tensions.
The case has sparked broader discussions about law enforcement response, communal harmony, and the need to ensure protection for vulnerable groups in the city.
