A Muslim man was lynched by his neighbours in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar area, ostensibly for supporting the BJP and celebrating the party’s victory in the state elections.
Babar Ali (in the image), who was just 25-year-old, died on Sunday while receiving treatment in a Lucknow hospital. He lived in Kushinagar’s Kathgarhi village, which was under the jurisdiction of the Ramkola Police Station. On Sunday, when his body was returned to his village, his family refused to conduct the final rites and sought the arrest of the murderers, according to them.
Tensions flared in the district as his family refused to perform the final rites until the murderers were brought to justice. Family members said that local people from their community had warned Babar against campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and raising slogans in its favour. Babar had sought protection from Ramkola police but his request went unheard, the family said.
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has expressed his sorrow and ordered an investigation into the killing of a Muslim man by his neighbours, who were apparently celebrating the BJP’s victory in the UP-Assembly election.
Babur’s family claims that their neighbours were miffed because Babur used to support the BJP. Following the announcement of the BJP’s resounding victory in the UP-Assembly elections on March 10, Babur’s family said that he distributed sweets in the area. The family said that his neighbours had told him repeatedly not to vote for the BJP.
The incident apparently occurred on March 20 when Babur, who was returning from his shop, allegedly chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ prompting his neighbours to bash him. Babar fled to his house’s roof to save his life, but the accused individuals followed after him and tossed him off, according to his wife, Fatima.
Following Babur’s death, his wife Fatima filed a police report, which resulted in an FIR being filed against the neighbours.SDM Varun Pandey, who came to the scene, said the case is being investigated, that the accused will be arrested, and that those who are responsible will face severe punishment.
The accused would not be spared at any cost, according to BJP MLA PN Pathak. The victim had also complained about death threats, according to the SDM, but no action was taken at the time. He went on to say that a FIR had been filed and that the case was being investigated.
Edited by Subbuthai Padma
Published by Iram Rizvi
