The teenager’s private part was put on fire. He has been arrested, but the attackers are still out in the open.
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD – A Muslim teenager was assaulted and paraded naked by a mob chanting Hindu religious slogans for “disrespecting” a saffron flag in Telangana’s Sangareddy district earlier this week.
In the incident, which happened on Monday, the mob put fire on the 19-year-old victim’s private part and put out its video on various social media platforms.
The mob’s ghastly act occurred as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inaugurating a temple built on the ruins of the Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya.
Two videos of the incident in Morgi village of the district have gone viral. One video shows a mob kicking the teenager as he lies on the ground while another video shows the mob putting fire on his private part.
The videos have drawn outrage on social media. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to the video demanding strict action against the mob violence.
“A man was beaten up & paraded naked in Sangareddy, Telangana. Whatever his offensive behaviour, this kind of heinous mob violence is condemnable. @spsangareddy@TelanganaDGP & CoP Sangareddy must take strict action. Mob violence is a contagious disease & strong deterrent effect is necessary,” posted Owaisi on his X handle.
Meanwhile, Deputy superintendent of police Venkat Reddy was quoted by The Times of India as saying that two cases have been filed — one against the teenager and another against the mob. The teenager has been arrested, he said.
Th victim has been booked under IPC Sections 153(a), 295-A, and 505(2). A complaint was filed against the villagers for assaulting him. Subsequently, the police filed charges against the locals under IPC Sections 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 505(2), and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation).
According to reports, the teenager had inserted a saffron flag under his pants and passed objectionable comments against a particular community. The video of the action was uploaded on social media. Following the act, some people assaulted him and uploaded the video of the attack.
“Most of the attackers are from Karnataka and we are in the process of identifying them,’’ Sangareddy Superintendent of Police Ch Rupesh. “On learning about the incident, police reached the spot and rescued the teenager. A case and a counter case were registered based on complaints received from the villagers and the teenager. He was arrested. People who attacked him are being identified and they will also be arrested,’’ police said.
On Monday, the Sangreddy district witnessed communal tension as some processionists chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ danced near a mosque.
