The incident highlights growing harassment of religious minorities in Uttar Pradesh
AMROHA — In a troubling incident highlighting the increasing intolerance towards Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, a man named Aslam was harassed by Hindutva supporters in Amroha after they discovered his religion. The incident, which took place in the Naugawan Sadat police station area, has sparked concerns about the safety and rights of minorities in the state.
Reports indicate that Aslam, who has been travelling from village to village with a Nandi bull for years, begging for alms, was accused of concealing his religious identity by adopting the name ‘Rakesh’. Hindu organisations also alleged that he was predicting the future by reading the palms of Hindu girls, which further incited suspicion among villagers.
Ravindra Tyagi, an official associated with one of the Hindu groups, created a commotion upon learning Aslam’s religion. Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense and chaotic. “As soon as they found out he was Muslim, they started shouting and mistreating him. It was shocking to see such intolerance,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Aslam reportedly sought help by contacting Dial 112. Police arrived promptly and intervened to rescue him from the angry crowd. “Our priority was to ensure the safety of the individual and maintain law and order. We took him to the police station for protection,” said a senior police officer from Naugawan Sadat police station.
During police interrogation, the man was identified as Aslam, a resident of Jabdi village within the same police jurisdiction. Authorities confirmed that he had been begging with the bull for years and had sought alms from people of all religions. Following the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against Aslam under the breach of peace section. The Nandi bull was taken into custody and sent to a cow shelter.
Community members and minority rights activists have condemned the incident. “This is not an isolated case; Muslims in Uttar Pradesh face harassment in their daily lives simply for practising their religion,” said Noor Fatima, a local social worker. “Begging or trading should not become grounds for discrimination or violence. Everyone has the right to live without fear.”
The incident in Amroha adds to a series of disturbing cases across Uttar Pradesh where religious minorities have faced intimidation and public humiliation. “It is alarming to see organisations linking mundane activities with religion, creating unrest and division in villages,” added another community leader.
Police have assured that measures are being taken to prevent further incidents and to protect minority communities in the area. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will act against anyone attempting to incite communal tension,” the officer added.
This episode underscores the challenges faced by Muslims in certain districts of Uttar Pradesh, where daily life can be disrupted by the actions of aggressive religious groups. Advocates argue that sustained efforts are needed to ensure equal rights and protection for minorities, free from intimidation and harassment.
