The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of minority passengers on India’s rail network
NEW DELHI — A Muslim passenger from Bihar has alleged that he was brutally assaulted on a train near Mughalsarai in Uttar Pradesh after being targeted because of his religious identity, raising fresh concerns over passenger safety and communal violence on India’s railways.
The victim, Mohammad Mazhar Hussain, a resident of Bhagalpur district in Bihar, said he was travelling home after visiting the Kachaucha Sharif shrine in Ambedkar Nagar district when he was attacked by a group of unidentified men inside a general coach of the Varanasi-Asansol MEMU Express.
According to Hussain, a businessman, the incident took place in the early hours of 26 June while the train stopped at a station or halt near Mughalsarai.
Speaking about the incident, Hussain said he had travelled to Uttar Pradesh on 24 June for a pilgrimage and was returning to Bihar after completing his visit. He had purchased a general-class ticket and was travelling in a general compartment.
Recounting the incident, Hussain alleged that at around 4:15 am he was washing his face near the wash basin inside the coach when a group of four to five young men entered the compartment shouting religious slogans.
He claimed that the men immediately began assaulting him.
“Some boys entered the coach raising slogans. Without any argument or dispute, they started attacking me,” Hussain alleged.
According to the victim, he initially tried to defend himself and resisted the attackers. However, he said he was soon overwhelmed by the group.
Hussain further alleged that one of the attackers struck him on the head with a heavy object, possibly a stone, causing serious injuries.
“My head started bleeding heavily. After that, I lost consciousness and collapsed inside the train,” he said.
The businessman stated that only a handful of passengers were present in the compartment at the time, making it difficult for anyone to intervene effectively.
When he regained consciousness, Hussain found himself in a government hospital.
He said railway personnel and Government Railway Police (GRP) officials had transported him for medical treatment after discovering him unconscious and injured.
The victim confirmed that police officers later recorded his statement and informed his family members about the incident.
Hussain, who operates a travel business in Bhagalpur and arranges tickets for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, expressed shock that he was allegedly targeted because of his appearance.
“I was travelling peacefully. There was no quarrel, no argument and no dispute with anyone. I believe I was targeted because I wore a beard and a cap,” he said.
He added that the incident had left him deeply disturbed.
“If there had been an argument or some other reason, it would have been understandable. But being attacked without any interaction is frightening and worrying,” he said.
The victim also alleged that police officials appeared reluctant to pursue the matter seriously.
According to Hussain, there has been no visible progress in identifying or arresting the alleged attackers. He claimed that investigators were attempting to downplay the incident, though police have not publicly responded to these allegations.
No official statement from railway authorities or the police had emerged at the time the allegations became public.
The incident has once again raised questions about the security arrangements on Indian trains, particularly during overnight journeys.
Civil rights observers say passengers should be able to travel safely regardless of their religion, language, dress or social background.
The case has also drawn attention because it follows other incidents involving Muslim passengers that have generated public debate in recent years.
Among them was the death of Maulana Tausif Raza from Kishanganj district in Bihar. Raza, a teacher at a madrasa, was travelling home after attending a religious gathering in Bareilly.
He had boarded a special train on 26 April, but his body was later found near railway tracks in Bareilly. Investigators subsequently arrested one accused, identified as Pankaj Rajput, while other suspects were reported to be absconding.
Community representatives and rights activists have argued that incidents involving alleged attacks on passengers because of their religious identity require a thorough and impartial investigation.
They have called on railway authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure that all passengers receive equal protection and that those responsible for violence are brought to justice.
The latest allegation from Mughalsarai has added to those concerns and renewed calls for stronger security measures in trains and railway stations across the country.
As investigations continue, attention is likely to remain focused on whether authorities can identify the attackers and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on Mohammad Mazhar Hussain.
