Unidentified assailants attack 55-year-old worker in Karol Bagh neighbourhood, sparking outrage and call for justice.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In a disturbing incident in the bustling neighbourhood of Karol Bagh in the national capital, a 55-year-old sanitation worker fell victim to religiously motivated violence as a group of unidentified individuals subjected him to coercion and physical assault.
The harrowing ordeal began when the sanitation worker, on his way to work, found himself encircled by some Hindutva diehards who demanded that he chant religious slogans. Under duress and fearing for his safety, the worker reluctantly uttered “Ram Ram,” only to face further demands to recite “Jai Shri Ram” and the “Hanuman Chalisa.” When he faltered, the assailants resorted to physical violence, leaving the victim severely injured and traumatised.
The shocking incident came to light through Himanshu Valmiki, district coordinator of Bhim Army in Delhi, who decried the attack as an appalling display of caste discrimination and religious intolerance.
“This is religiously motivated violence, which speaks of caste discrimination,” Valmiki asserted, condemning the perpetrators for their heinous actions.
While the identity of the attackers remains undisclosed pending further investigation, Valmiki pointed fingers at organisations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, alleging their involvement in orchestrating such acts of violence. He emphasised that incidents of this nature are often perpetrated by extremist groups affiliated with these organisations.
Following the assault, the victim sought refuge at Patel Nagar police station, where he also lodged a formal complaint. Describing the victim’s condition as critical due to underlying health issues, Valmiki revealed that the victim was promptly transferred to a nearby health facility for urgent medical attention. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident, although details of the document are yet to be made available.
The distressing episode gained traction on social media after Valmiki shared the incident on X platform, accompanied by a video capturing the victim’s anguish as he recounted the brutal attack. In the video, the victim tearfully narrates the ordeal, lamenting the derogatory remarks hurled at him during the assault.
Expressing grave concern over the prevalence of such atrocities, Valmiki highlighted the alarming trend of religiously motivated violence, particularly in northern states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. He underscored the urgency of addressing such acts of bigotry and called for swift action to ensure justice for the victim.
“This incident underscores the abuse of religion to perpetrate violence and discrimination, a stark reminder of the systemic injustices faced by marginalised communities,” Valmiki lamented, urging authorities to uphold the principles of justice and equality in combating religious intolerance and caste-based discrimination.
