Mob storms cafe, beats students, damages property and films the attack; police register case after nursing student’s party is targeted for Muslim presence
NEW DELHI/BAREILLY — A birthday celebration at a cafe in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly turned into a scene of fear after members of the Bajrang Dal barged in and attacked students because Muslim classmates were present, victims and staff said. The incident took place at Dan Cafe in Rajendra Nagar, under the Premnagar police station area on Saturday.
According to the cafe staff and students, a nursing college student was celebrating her birthday with classmates on December 27. The group included six to seven women, eight Hindu men and two Muslim men, all studying at the same college. During the gathering, Bajrang Dal members arrived in large numbers after receiving information that Muslim students were at the party.
Videos recorded and shared by the attackers show a crowd entering the cafe, shouting “Jai Shri Ram,” abusing the students and manhandling them. Furniture and glass items were damaged. A mobile phone was also taken, staff said.
Cafe manager Mahi said the attack had no basis. “They came in shouting and started hitting the boys. The students were only celebrating a birthday. There was CCTV and nothing wrong was happening,” she said.
A cafe employee, Ajay, said the party had been booked in advance. “The moment they barged in, they began breaking things. Glass was shattered and a phone went missing. The students had done nothing illegal,” he told the police.
The nursing student whose birthday was being celebrated rejected the claims made by the attackers. In her complaint, she said, “The two Muslim boys are my classmates. We all study together. We came only to celebrate my birthday.”
Women students present at the cafe also supported this account. One of them said, “There was no bad behaviour. We were scared when the crowd rushed in and started shouting.”
Police reached the spot after being informed and worked to control the situation. The students, especially the Muslim boys, were visibly shaken, witnesses said.
Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said a case has been registered after a complaint was received. “On Saturday, we received information about a fight at a restaurant in the Premnagar area. The police team reached the spot and restored peace. A case has been registered against two named persons and several unidentified persons under relevant IPC sections. Action is being taken,” he said.
The incident has once again raised concern among Muslim students and families in Uttar Pradesh, who say ordinary social life is being targeted and criminalised on the basis of identity. Students said they now fear gathering in public places even for simple celebrations.
