The incident highlights the vulnerability of Muslim business owners; police register arson case amid claims of targeted violence against the community
LUCKNOW – A sugarcane juice shop owned by a Muslim vendor was destroyed by fire in the Jankipuram area of Lucknow late on Friday night, hours after a video showing the shopkeeper’s mentally challenged minor son licking ice cubes went viral on social media.
The shop owner, identified as Munna, originally a resident of Bahraich district, has run the roadside stall for the past 10 to 12 years. He and his family were away visiting relatives in Bahraich at the time of the incident, leaving the premises empty. Local reports indicate that an angry mob arrived and set the shop ablaze, reducing it to ashes over allegations that the juice was contaminated.
The trouble began on Friday when a short video circulated widely on platforms including WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, a man is heard recording the boy and using abusive language to criticise his actions, while the child, who has a mental disability, licks a block of ice placed near the juice machine. The boy’s father was not present in the shop during the recorded moment.
Community members and local Muslim leaders have condemned the arson as a clear example of targeted harassment against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. They argue that the viral video served merely as a pretext for anti-social elements to attack the livelihood of an innocent Muslim family.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Munna Bhai has been serving people here peacefully for over a decade. His son is a special child who needs care, not punishment. This attack is not about hygiene – it is about targeting Muslims whenever a small issue arises.”
Reports from sources close to the Muslim community, including coverage by The Siasat Daily, describe the incident as part of a pattern where minor disputes escalate into a destruction of property belonging to Muslims. One community activist stated, “In Uttar Pradesh, right-wing groups often exploit such situations to create fear among Muslims. Even a child’s innocent act becomes an excuse to ruin a hard-working family’s business.”
Police from Jankipuram police station responded swiftly after receiving information about the fire. An officer from the police media cell confirmed that a case of arson has been registered against unidentified accused persons. “We have taken cognisance of the incident and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible and establish the motive,” the officer said.
The shopkeeper’s wife, who works at a nearby mattress shop, expressed deep distress over the loss. Family members have appealed for justice, emphasising that the boy requires support and understanding rather than vilification.
This episode has once again raised serious concerns about the safety and security of Muslim citizens and their businesses in the state. Many fear that without prompt and fair action, such incidents will continue to threaten the livelihoods of vulnerable members of the minority community.
Police have assured that efforts are ongoing to trace the perpetrators and bring them to book. The incident remains under active investigation.
