MP: Muslim community protests assault case; Commissioner orders probe​

Bhopal, May 12 Hundreds of members of the Muslim community staged a protest in Bhopal on Tuesday against the assault and alleged public humiliation of a Muslim youth at a hotel in Govindpura two days ago.​

Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and alleged that police personnel present during the incident failed to stop the attackers.​

The demonstration, led by Bhopal City Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi, also carried a warning that the community would call for a city-wide shutdown if the accused were not arrested within 24 hours.​

The protest began at the Kaziyat premises, where community members gathered to condemn both the attack and the alleged use of objectionable language during the incident.​

Addressing the crowd, Qazi Nadvi described the assault as an attack not only on an individual but also on communal harmony and religious sentiments.​

The protesters later marched to the Police Control Room, raising slogans and demanding strict action.​

Congress legislators Arif Masood and Atif Aqueel, along with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Mohsin Ali, joined the demonstration.​

Community representatives submitted a memorandum to Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar demanding immediate arrests and departmental action against police personnel allegedly negligent during the incident.​

“This matter is not limited merely to physical assault; religious sentiments have been deeply hurt through the use of offensive language,” Qazi Nadvi said.​

He alleged that police personnel present at the spot failed to intervene and instead allowed the attackers to continue.​

“Police personnel were present at the scene, yet they abetted the perpetrators. Such incidents create fear and vitiate the atmosphere in Bhopal,” he added.​

Later, while briefing the press, Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said the police were examining all aspects of the case, including the conduct of officers present at the scene.​

“The police personnel present during the incident would also be interrogated. If they are found to be at fault, departmental action will be initiated against them,” Kumar said.​

He added that a criminal case had already been registered and teams were working to identify and arrest the accused.​

“The investigation is currently underway, and the police are examining video footage of the incident. Additionally, the search for the accused remains ongoing,” the Commissioner said.​

The incident occurred on Sunday at a hotel in Gautam Nagar under Govindpura police station limits, where a group of men allegedly dragged out a Muslim youth identified as Arif Khan, assaulted him, stripped him half-naked, and smeared ink and cow dung on his face after accusing him of being with a woman from another faith.​

Police said the woman stated she had been in a live-in relationship with Khan for 5 years and had voluntarily accompanied him.​

--IANS

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