The somewhat blurred videos show a mob surrounding the victims, pushing them around, hitting and tying them to a trees. The attackers were mostly Bajrang Dal members and leaders. Mashakshe is critical and admitted to the hospital
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Two Muslims were brutally assaulted with sticks and rods after being stripped and tied to a tree by a mob of cow vigilantes including members of Bajrang Dal in Maharashtra’s Solapur.
Although the incident happened last week in Valsang village, its videos were brought to light on Friday by Hindutva Watch, a research initiative to monitor reports of attacks on members of religious minorities in the country.
“Two Muslim men were stripped, tied to a tree, and brutally beaten by cow vigilantes, including members of the Bajrang Dal militia, over suspicion of cattle slaughter. One victim continues to be in serious condition due to the injuries,” it tweeted.
According to the videos, 39-year-old Guddu Lal Mashakshe and his guest, Siraj Patel, were brutally beaten up. The somewhat blurred videos show a mob surrounding the victims, pushing them around, hitting and tying them to a tree. The attackers were mostly Bajrang Dal members and leaders. Mashakshe is critical and admitted to the hospital, said the report.
A bed-ridden Mashakshe said a mob of 40-50 people including Bajrang Dal hooligans attacked him.
“On the day of animal sacrifice, they attacked to kill me. I was brutally beaten up in the head with a wooden stick. They were in large numbers while I was alone. One man was with me who was my guest. When the guest tried to hide inside a house, he was dragged out and hit with a rod in his head,” Mashakshe said writhing in pain.
He said he was deeply distressed and wanted justice only from the government.
“I only seek justice from the government. These people put me and my family into deep trouble. I have a family at my home. They can do anything to them. Who will protect my children? I don’t know. Therefore, I request you all please give me justice. When they were assaulting me, they were forcing me to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’. I refused to say it as I’m a Maulana. Then, they hit me on the head with a stick. I was forced to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’. I was hit even though I said ‘Jai Shri Ram’, he said.
Mashakshe runs a chicken shop and a fortune store. He also leads prayers in a nearby mosque.
He has filed a complaint at the Valsang police station. “Although an FIR has been lodged the police did not listen to me. They have filed FIR on their own. I don’t know what they did but I did not get justice,” he said.
