The family was assaulted in Dehradun’s Banjarawala area. While police label it as road rage, family members insist it was a targeted attack linked to their identity
NEW DELHI — A Muslim family, on its way to a wedding, was allegedly assaulted in Dehradun’s Banjarawala area, raising concerns over rising incidents targeting Muslims in Uttarakhand and neighbouring states. The attack, captured partly on video, is being circulated widely on social media and has sparked outrage, especially among Muslims who see a pattern of targeted violence.
However, police officials deny any communal angle, calling it an incident of road rage. This version has been rejected by the victims and eyewitnesses who say the family was attacked “for being Muslims.”
Speaking to Clarion India over the phone, 28-year-old Sameer Khan, who was among those injured in the assault, said: “We were going to a wedding with our family. The road was narrow and our car got stuck. A few men gathered and began abusing us. They started beating us, calling us names. This was not just a fight, this was because we were Muslims.”
Sameer, who sustained injuries on his face and arms, added: “One of them even pulled out a knife. We didn’t even get a chance to explain anything. They wanted to fight, and they attacked us as a group.”
In the vehicle were five members of the Khan family, including two women and a child. The mother of the groom, 60-year-old Zohra Bano, said the incident has left her in shock. “We were all dressed for the wedding. They didn’t care that we were elderly women or that there was a child with us. They kept shouting slurs, pushed us and told us to leave their area.”
She added, “How can the police say this was not about religion? They used words that clearly showed hate. We were not even arguing. They started the fight.”
The video of the incident, which began circulating on Friday night, shows a chaotic scene on the narrow Banjarawala road. A few men could be seen pushing and punching, while bystanders shouted in panic. An injured man is seen bleeding and trying to speak to the camera, saying, “This was not about Hindus and Muslims.”
Dehradun Police were quick to respond. In a press statement, they said: “On May 1, in the Banjarawala area of Patel Nagar, a vehicle got stuck on the road, causing a traffic jam. A dispute broke out between people in the vehicle and some locals, which turned into a physical fight. This is a case of road rage. We found no evidence to support claims of a communal dispute.”
Senior police officer Rajesh Rawat added, “We have registered cases from both sides. Investigations are ongoing. We urge people not to spread false information that can create tension.”
Despite the police version, many in the local Muslim community believe the matter is being downplayed. “If it had been a Hindu family, would they have been treated like this?” asked Mohammad Tariq, a local shopkeeper. “This is happening again and again. Muslims are being beaten for no reason, and the police always say it’s not about religion.”
He pointed out previous incidents in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, saying: “There is a pattern. They want to pretend things are normal, but we live in fear every day.”
Human rights activists and community leaders have called for an impartial probe into the incident. Faheem Akhtar, a Dehradun-based lawyer who works with minority rights groups, said: “This is not just about one family being beaten. It is about the environment being created where Muslims are treated as outsiders and fair targets.”
He also raised concerns about the police’s quick denial of any communal motive. “Why are they always in a hurry to rule out hate crime? It discourages people from coming forward. We need a proper investigation, not a cover-up.”
This attack comes amid rising reports of violence against Muslims in various parts of the country. From public lynchings on suspicion of cow smuggling to attacks for offering namaz in open spaces, many Muslims say they feel increasingly unsafe.
Data collected by civil society groups shows a significant increase in hate crimes over the past five years, especially in states where right-wing organisations have a strong presence. In several such cases, the police have been accused of either not registering cases or failing to apply relevant sections of the law.
Despite the outrage, Dehradun Police remain firm in their stance. SHO Neeraj Singh of Patel Nagar Police Station said there was no reason to believe the case was communal. People should not jump to conclusions, he said.
When asked whether hate slogans or religious slurs were used, Singh replied: “We are still checking the videos and speaking to all witnesses. If any such proof is found, we will act accordingly.”
The Khan family has said they are not interested in making it a political issue. “We just want justice,” said Amaan Khan, brother of the groom. “We want them to be punished. We were just going to attend a wedding. Now, my mother is afraid to step out of the house.”
He added, “We hope the government will listen to us and not hide the truth. We are citizens too. We don’t deserve this kind of treatment.”
For Muslims in Dehradun, this incident has deepened an already growing sense of insecurity. “We always think twice before going anywhere now,” said Bushra Rizvi, a student. “Even a small outing can become dangerous if people know we are Muslim. That’s how bad things have become.”
The fear, many say, is not just about physical safety, but also about the silence from authorities. “It hurts more when the police pretend nothing happened,” said Rizvi. “Our safety should matter too.”
Several residents from both communities have urged calm and peace. A Hindu neighbour of the Khans, who did not wish to be named, said: “This kind of violence is shameful. We must all speak against it, whether it happens to a Muslim or a Hindu. People are creating hate for their vested interests.”
Meanwhile, community groups have announced that they will approach the Human Rights Commission and demand an independent inquiry.
