On a Tuesday in North-East Delhi, a Muslim man died because he was attacked by a mob for eating prasad from a temporary religious stall. The police in the city haven’t said for sure if this was because of religious issues. The capital’s police have yet to confirm whether this incident had communal elements, choosing instead to label the victim, 26-year-old Isar Ahmed, as a suspected thief.
The assault, captured in a viral video, depicts Ahmed bound to a pole while being mercilessly attacked by a group of individuals who also hurled verbal abuses. This distressing event took place at approximately 5 am on Tuesday, leaving Ahmed severely injured and bleeding.
After the brutal attack, Isar Ahmed was brought home by his neighbor, Aamir, in a rickshaw. His father, Abdul Wajid, a 60-year-old fruit seller, returned home later in the evening to a harrowing sight. Ahmed was still bleeding and in excruciating pain. Wajid recounted his son’s words, revealing that Ahmed admitted to eating prasad placed in front of a Ganpati idol. The mob, fueled by suspicion, had assaulted him with sticks and rods, leaving visible marks all over his body. Ahmed succumbed to his injuries around 7 pm on that fateful day, leading to a devastating loss for his family.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Joy Tirkey disclosed key details about the incident. According to Isar Ahmed’s account, a group of individuals had apprehended him near G4 Block in Sunder Nagri at 5 am on Tuesday. They had accused him of theft and subsequently tied him to a pole, subjecting him to a sustained beating with sticks. Ahmed was even able to identify his attackers as residents of the G4 Block. The police have registered a murder charge, and an investigation is currently underway to bring the culprits to justice.
Despite the horrific nature of the incident, questions remain unanswered. The police have refrained from confirming whether the attack had a communal motive, opting to classify Ahmed as a suspected thief. This has sparked controversy and debate, as many question the validity of this assertion. Abdul Wajid, Isar Ahmed’s father, expressed his anguish, wondering why his son was killed over consuming offerings to God and how such an act could be equated with theft. The incident has raised concerns about the role of vigilantism and the need for immediate action to curb such violence.
