18 august 2025, Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand):Elderly Muslim Man Assaulted In a disturbing case of communal violence, a 65-year-old Muslim man, Rizwan, was brutally assaulted and allegedly forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” by three fellow contract laborers working with the Indian Railways in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The accused—Mukesh Bhatt, Manish Bisht, and Naveen Bhandari—all local residents and railway contract workers, have been arrested by the police.
The incident, which unfolded late Thursday evening near the Railway workers’ settlement in Satpuli area, has triggered outrage across the district and sparked statewide debates about religious intolerance and hate-driven violence.
The Assault: How the Incident Unfolded
According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, Rizwan, a senior daily wage laborer associated with railway maintenance work, had completed his shift and was returning home. The three accused, who had been drinking nearby, allegedly confronted him over a minor work-related disagreement.
What began as an argument soon escalated into a physical assault. Witnesses claimed the attackers hurled communal slurs at Rizwan and insisted that he chant “Jai Shri Ram.” When he resisted, they beat him with sticks and fists.
Rizwan eventually gave in under duress, chanting the slogan to escape further harm. He sustained bruises and minor injuries before locals intervened and rushed him to the Pauri District Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
Police Response and Arrests
The police acted swiftly after receiving a complaint from Rizwan’s family. An FIR was registered at the Satpuli police station under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):
Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt)
Section 295A (acts intended to outrage religious feelings)
Section 506 (criminal intimidation)
Section 153A (promoting enmity between groups)
The arrests were verified by Pauri Garhwal Superintendent of Police Shweta Choubey.
“All three accused—Mukesh Bhatt, Manish Bisht, and Naveen Bhandari—have been taken into custody. They are locals employed as contract laborers under the Railways. The case is being investigated thoroughly, and strict action will be taken under the law,” she said.
The accused were produced before a local magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Victim’s Account
Speaking with reporters after his discharge, Rizwan described his ordeal in a trembling voice:
“I have lived in this town all my life and worked honestly for the Railways for two decades. These men were like colleagues. I never imagined they would attack me just because of my faith. They kept hitting me and shouted that I must say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ if I wanted to be spared. I said it, but only to survive. My dignity was crushed that night.”
Imran, his son, voiced concern about his father’s safety and called for justice.
“We want the culprits punished. My father is a simple man. If workers can turn on each other because of religion, what kind of example are we setting for the next generation?”
Community Tensions and Reactions
The assault has unsettled the usually quiet Satpuli region of Pauri Garhwal. Residents from both Hindu and Muslim communities expressed shock.
Local community leader Maulana Nasir Khan condemned the act:
“No one ought to be made to recite a religious phrase without their will.This is against the principles of freedom and dignity. We appeal to the administration to take strict action so such incidents are not repeated.”
Prominent Hindu clerics in the region also distanced themselves from the accused, insisting that the act was neither religiously sanctioned nor supported by the community. Pandit Rajeev Joshi, a priest at a local temple, said:
“Hinduism does not teach coercion. If these men forced someone to chant religious slogans, they have dishonored their own faith. Law must punish them.”
Political Fallout
The case has gained traction at the political level. Opposition leaders accused the ruling BJP of allowing hate crimes to proliferate, while the BJP defended the police action.
Congress spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasona said:
“This shocking incident reveals the growing communal intolerance in Uttarakhand. The government cannot turn a blind eye. Strong efforts must be used to restore peace.”
The BJP’s state unit chief Mahendra Bhatt countered:
“The accused have been arrested. The police acted promptly without bias. We should not politicize isolated incidents or attempt to create disharmony in the hills.”
Railway Department’s Reaction
Given that both Rizwan and the accused were employed as contract laborers for the Indian Railways, questions were raised about the accountability of the department.
A spokesperson for the Railways (Moradabad Division) said in a statement:
“The Indian Railways does not tolerate any form of discrimination or violence. The accused were engaged through a private contractor, and their services are being immediately terminated. We are extending full cooperation to the police investigation.”
Legal Implications
Legal experts suggest that the case could be a test of how seriously Indian courts treat hate-motivated assaults.
Advocate Vandana Rawat, a Dehradun-based lawyer, explained:
“Sections 295A and 153A are serious offenses because they deal with promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings. If convicted, the accused could face imprisonment of up to three years under 295A, and up to five years under 153A, in addition to penalties under assault and intimidation charges.”
Activists, however, warn that prosecution in such cases often faces hurdles due to lack of witnesses willing to testify.
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A Disturbing Pattern
This incident adds to a growing list of cases across northern India where Muslims have reported being coerced into chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
According to India Hate Lab, which tracks hate incidents, at least 27 similar cases have been reported nationwide in the last two years, ranging from mob attacks to individual assaults. Civil society groups argue that these are not isolated incidents but part of a larger climate of intolerance.
Shabnam Hashmi, a rights activist, said:
“The case of Rizwan is emblematic of what minorities are facing—fear, humiliation, and violence. Unless the state takes exemplary action, such crimes will continue to embolden perpetrators.”
Local Voices for Peace
In response to the incident, a candlelight vigil was organized in Satpuli town where residents from both communities gathered to denounce the assault.
Local schoolteacher Anita Sharma said:
“Rizwan is our neighbor. He has never harmed anyone. What happened to him is shameful. We must not let hatred destroy our community spirit.”
Students from a nearby college also organized a march, carrying placards with messages like “Stop Hate, Save Humanity” and “Unity in Diversity is India’s Strength.”
Uttarakhand’s Social Fabric Under Strain
Uttarakhand, often called Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), is known for its serene hills and communal harmony. However, incidents like Rizwan’s assault highlight rising social fissures.
Sociologist Dr. Arvind Kaul from HNB Garhwal University said:
Large-scale communal conflicts have not previously occurred in Uttarakhand’s small towns. However, even the hills are not immune to the growing divisiveness.When laborers working side by side turn against each other due to religious identity, it signals deep-rooted social anxieties.”
What Lies Ahead
The immediate future of the case will hinge on the judicial process. Police have indicated they will seek fast-track trial proceedings given the sensitive nature of the case. Meanwhile, Rizwan’s family is under police protection as a precautionary measure.
Civil society organizations have demanded that the Uttarakhand government establish a special cell to monitor communal crimes and ensure rehabilitation for victims.
Conclusion
The assault on Rizwan in Pauri Garhwal is more than just a criminal case. It is a stark reminder of how communal hatred can fracture even small-town harmony, where people have lived as neighbors for generations. While the arrests of Mukesh Bhatt, Manish Bisht, and Naveen Bhandari offer some relief, the deeper challenge lies in ensuring that hate-driven violence finds no place in Uttarakhand—or India.
As Rizwan himself poignantly said:
“I don’t want revenge. I only want justice, and a life where people respect each other, no matter their religion.”
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