The police are investigating the incident. It remains to be seen whether those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
MUMBAI — Nine BJP workers, including the saffron party’s Mahim chief Akshata Tendulkar, have been booked by the city’s Shivaji Park police for allegedly abusing and assaulting street vendors from the Muslim community in the Dadar market area.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the increasing targeting of Muslims in India. According to the complaint filed by hawker Saurabh Mishra, Tendulkar and her associates visited the market, questioned vendors about their religion, and physically assaulted one of them, Sofiyan Shahid Ali, after confirming his Muslim identity. When Ali tried to flee, the group reportedly chased and attacked him again, reports said on Sunday.
The incident is part of a larger pattern of violence and intimidation against Muslims in India, where Hindu groups are increasingly using coercion and aggression to assert their dominance. The targeting of Muslim vendors in the Dadar market is a stark reminder of the growing Islamophobia and xenophobia in the country.
Tendulkar’s defence of her actions, claiming that their visit was to raise concerns about illegal Bangladeshi nationals, has been met with scepticism by many. Critics argue that this is a thinly veiled attempt to justify the targeting of Muslims and other minority groups.
The Mumbai Police have registered a case against Tendulkar and her associates under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act. The police are investigating the incident, and it remains to be seen whether those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
The incident highlights the need for greater accountability and action from law enforcement agencies to protect the rights and safety of Muslim communities in India. The latest targeting of Muslims is a symptom of a larger problem that requires a comprehensive solution to address the growing tensions and violence between different communities.
