Elderly Muslim man assaulted by Hindu mob in Indian capital

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — An elderly Muslim man was allegedly assaulted and threatened by a group of Hindu extremists in India’s capital after a confrontation in a public park, with videos of the incident sparking outrage over what critics say is the growing normalization of anti-Muslim intimidation.

Videos circulating on social media show the assault taking place at Central Park in New Delhi, where a woman confronts the man before grabbing his collar, pulling his beard and repeatedly threatening to kill him. Several other individuals later join the confrontation, escalating the attack.

During the incident, the woman is heard declaring that “Hindus are no longer weak” while waving a slipper at the elderly man, a gesture widely regarded in South Asia as a form of public humiliation and insult.

The reason for the initial argument remains unclear. However, social media users alleged that the man was targeted because he was Muslim.

Delhi Police had not issued a public statement on the incident as of Tuesday, and it remained unclear whether a formal police complaint had been filed or whether authorities had opened an investigation.

The videos prompted widespread condemnation online, with many users calling for police action against those involved and expressing concern over what they described as the increasing public targeting of Muslims.

The incident comes amid continuing reports of harassment and violence against Muslims in India, where rights groups have documented a rise in attacks, hate speech and intimidation by Hindu nationalist groups in recent years. 

Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns that inflammatory rhetoric and impunity for perpetrators have contributed to a climate in which religious minorities face growing hostility in public spaces.