An incident in Karnataka that happened a few days ago has created a panic among minorities. Allegedly, an old, blind Muslim man was forcibly taken on a motorcycle, and his beard was burned by the miscreants. He was forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans. Even the old man was repeatedly beaten up.

When the BJP government was in power, incidents of persecution of minorities were common in Karnataka. Sometimes objection to clothing, sometimes prohibition to sell or eat beef. Complaints of forced chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ were also heard often. The Congress government has come to power in the state but incidents of communal attacks on minorities could not be curbed. Even physically challenged minorities are not spared from this religious violence.

What happened?

The incident took place on the night of November 25. An elderly man named Hussain Sahab of Gangavati town was brutally tortured. On November 28, the victim lodged a police complaint three days later. The miscreants even threatened to kill him if he complained to the police.

Hussain sahab, a 62- year-old man lives with his daughter in a small house in Gangavati. Due to poor eyesight, he lives by begging in places like Koppal and Vijayanagar.

Hussain Sahab returned to Gangavati from Hosapete at the night around 3 AM on 25 November. While he was waiting for an autorickshaw to return home, two unidentified motorcyclists approached him to give a lift. The blind man did not agree to the proposal. But the two rider on the scooter forcefully pulled Hussain Sahab onto it. As the journey began, the two started abusing and assaulting him.

Two Motorcyclists forced the man to chant the slogan ” Jai Shri Ram”.

The veteran alleged that the assailants first hit him on the head with a bottle, cut his beard and even tried to burn him.

He was taken to the outskirts of the city.
One of the two criminals held Hussain’s legs while the rider rode the scooter for some distance, causing serious injuries to his back. They attempted to cut off his beard with a broken glass. Then they forced him to say the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan. The Muslim old man refused to say the Hindu slogan. As a result, torturers burned his beard with a matchstick.

Rescue works

This terrible torture may have taken the old man’s life. The crime lasted for about an hour. Later, a group of migrant shepherds, alarmed by the commotion and barking of nearby dogs, approached.

The assailants fled when a group of helpers arrived. Later Hussain threatened to meet them near a nearby girls’ college. The rescue team provided him with first aid, water and tea. Neither Hussain Sahab nor his daughter could complain about the incident fearing for their lives.

Hearing the news the auto driver had picked up Hussain Sahab. He could not breathe properly then. Officials of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) visited him and tried to file an FIR at the Gangavati Town police station.

Administrative actions

Hussain Sahab contacted the police the day after his treatment. Then he formally filed a complaint. Police have started investigation to find those terrorists. CCTV footage near the bus stand and the main roads in the area where the incident took place are all being examined, a report said.

The Congress government in Karnataka has yet to open up about the incident. This South Indian state is quite advanced in education, culture, and economy on the one hand. However, communal differences are no less than in any state in North India.

Incidents of attacks on minorities and hate speech are high in coastal areas of this state. Kappal is also part of coastal Karnataka. The Congress government in the state has announced zero tolerance for communal violence.

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has planned a protest against the incident.

SDPI district president Koppal Saleem said, “People from all walks of life live in harmony in our district. It is sheer brutality when an innocent old man is beaten up and forced to chant religious slogans. We demand action against the two responsible for the assault and mental torture on the victim. SDPI has decided to bear Hussain sahab’s medical expenses.”

Kappal Superintendent of Police Yashodha Vantagodi said that the culprits have not been caught yet. According to him, the incident may have been intended to loot. Although the affected person is not mean at all, Such a blind person should not be kidnapped for money.