Jaipur, September 14, 2023 (PPI-OT): A 22-year-old Muslim man succumbed to injuries during treatment at a hospital in Indian city of Jaipur over a week after he was brutally assaulted following a scuffle between two groups from different communities that led to communal tension.

The deceased, Mohammad Wakeel, was returning from his woodshop at night when he was mercilessly assaulted by a mob on September 8 as a result of the communal tension reported on August 27 between the Meo Muslims and the members of the SC/ST communities, resulting in injuries to members of the latter community.

According to eyewitnesses and villagers, Wakeel was abducted by Purshottam Saini, a BJP leader, and his group of henchmen. “At Tijara Chowk, he was nabbed by a group of hooligans led by Purushattam Saini and then taken to a jungle and assaulted mercilessly. He was left injured grievously. His family members subsequently took him to hospital,” said Sher Mohammed, an activist in Alwar who is following up the case, during a Facebook live.

The activist informed that the BJP leader filed a case under the SC/ST Act against some members of the Muslim community, leading to the arrest of five persons. “Five people from the Muslim community were also arrested in this regard. This was legal procedure and it was fair enough. On 30 August, a mahapanchayat was held over the incident. People from the Meo community went to the mahapanchayat and apologized for the incident and asked them not to disturb the communal harmony,” said Sher.

But the situation turned tense after the BJP leader at the panchayat announced that he would take revenge for what happened on 27 August. However, elders from the Meo community event went to the house of affected persons of the SC community, requesting an end to the dispute. They also offered apologies, he said.

It was outrageous, said Sher Mohammad expressing serious concern and pointing out that this was the second killing of Muslim youth in the region in a month. “I want to request people from all communities and castes to unite against those people who are spreading hatred and dividing the society,” he said. The incident has raised concerns and fear of exacerbating communal tension amidst the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

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