An FIR has been lodged at the intervention of state chief minister and one person arrested for the incident
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Family members of mentally challenged Zeeshan Khan in Dhanbad are traumatised over what he has gone through at the hands of some Bharatiya Janat Party (BJP) workers. Zeeshan was forced to lick his own spit and chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ after being beaten up.
An FIR has been lodged on the intervention of state Chief Minister Hemant Soren and one person arrested in connection with the incident. However, so discreet is the family of Zeeshan ever since the incident took place that no one is opening up to the media about the incident. However, Clarion India’s Ahmed Kasim could be able to extract details about the incident from his brother, Rehan.
“Our family is in shock after seeing the video,” said Rehan, adding, “Forcing him (Zeeshan) to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and to lick spit was wrong. Leave Hindu and Muslim aside, no religion can ask their followers to do such things. If he had made any mistake, he should have been handed over to the police…” he said with deep regret in his voice.
The Dhanbad police arrested a man in connection with the incident after a video of the mob violence surfaced on the social media. The state Chief Minister took note of the video and asked the deputy commissioner of Dhanbad to inquire into the matter and take strong action against the culprits.
.@dc_dhanbad कृपया उक्त मामले की जाँच कर दोषियों पर सख्त कार्यवाई करते हुए सूचित करें।
अमन चैन से रहने वाले झारखण्डवासियों के इस राज्य में वैमनस्य की कोई जगह नहीं है।@dhanbadpolice @JharkhandPolice https://t.co/XXZFcu9mNo— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) January 7, 2022
In the aforesaid video, a mob can be seen thrashing 32-year-old Zeeshan, forcing him to lick his own spit and to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The mob can also be seen asking the victim whether he was a Muslim or not. According to reports, Zeeshan had abused a BJP leader which is said to have triggered the BJP workers.
Rehan said that his brother was undergoing treatment for mental illness. When they went to offer congregational Friday namaz (prayer) at Shamsher Nagar Masjid in the city, Zeeshan came out of his home and went two and a half km away from his home.
“He is mentally unsound. Therefore, we are unable to ascertain what exactly Zeeshan had said to them. Whether he abused them or said something else, we don’t know,” said Rehan.
Giving details of Zeeshan’s poor mental health, Rehan said, “When he was studying in Chennai, he got mentally disturbed due to exam pressure. So much so that we had to bring him back and get admit him to a Ranchi hospital. Of late we are keeping him at home as the hospital was not accommodate him due to covid rush.”
When asked about the physical injuries Zeeshan received, Rehan said that since his brother was not able to speak properly, he did not tell them about the beating he received and the pain he is going through. However, one thing is for sure he is deeply hurt even though there is no external injury.
His doctor asked us to get him admitted to a hospital, but we refused to do so,” said Rehan.
Rehan is working in a private firm. They lost his father decades ago. Their mother and Zeeshan stay at home when Rehan goes for work. If the incident is highlighted too much in the media and if in case it takes a political turn, he is afraid his family would ill afford such a scenario. Hence, he is cautious of speaking to the media.
SSP Sanjeev Kumar said while one person has been arrested for the incident, investigation is on even as of arrest of other accused is due.
“We have arrested one person, Jeetu Shaw. Further investigation is being conducted while the arrest of the remaining accused is due,” said Kumar while refusing to comment on the political affiliation of the culprits.
It may be recalled here that recently, Jharkhand assembly passed a law against mob lynching which has a provision for stringent punishment including life imprisonment for any mob violence.