People from every religion has their own rights. We should respect other religions. ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is a religious thing for Hindus, not for believers of other faiths, said a Hindu man who took victim to the hospital
Team Clarion
AHMEDABAD – A 26-year-old Muslim labourer from Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal was attacked by a mob in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad after he refused to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
According to reports, the incident happened in Madhavpura area on Sunday when Mohammed Shahroz was going back to his factory after offering the pre-evenig prayers (Asar Namaz).
“They had come with knifes. I don’t know them. They had asked me to chant the slogan. I said I will not chant this slogan. I can die but not chant this slogan. Following this, they startes thrashing me and making anti-Muslim comments,” said Shahroz while lying on a bed in the hospital.
There were around 15-20 people who had come by bikes, said Shahroz.
After the attack, he was taken to the civil hospital in the city. Vijender Rajput, who was called by the factory owner, was among those who took him to the hospital.
Talking to a local media Desh Live, Rajput said that ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan has been made political. Forcing anyone religious slogan is wrong thing.
“People from every religion has their own rights. We should respect other religions. ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is a religious thing for Hindus. For Muslims, they have their own god and Christians have their own god. Everyone has their own god. Forcing others to say you own god’s name is wrong,” said Rajput.
He said that he respects his own religious symbol but at the same time, he does not insult other religions… Creating religious differences is matter of concern, he observed.
Congress leader and former MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh also visited the hospital to meet the victim. He condemned the incident and lauded Rajput for his act saying that humanity is still alive.
Shaikh said that Hindu and Muslim should not fight each other. They need employment. But some selfish people are trying to polarize people along religious lines for political benefit. It is taking heavy toll on the syncretic culture of India.
“Hatred can not be responded with hatred. It should be responded with love. To whatever extent, hate politics is played, it will be defeated one day. People are understanding it gradually that they are being used for political benefits and such incidents are carried out,” said Shaikh.
He also blamed the mainstream media for creating divisive debates on Hindu and Muslims round the clock.
