Muslim man attacked for praying near temple in India
Elderly Muslim man beaten, forced to chant Hindu nationalist slogans after offering Ramadan prayers on vacant land in Uttarakhand
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — An elderly Muslim man was assaulted and forced to chant Hindutva slogans after offering prayer on vacant land near a temple in Uttarakhand, underscoring continuing tensions over visible Muslim religious practice in parts of India.
The attack took place in the Jagatpura area of Rudrapur city in Uttarakhand, a northern Indian state in the Himalayan region bordering Nepal and China. Video circulating online shows the accused, allegedly led by temple manager Arvind Sharma, striking the man with sticks and hurling abuses while demanding to know, “How dare you offer prayer on a Brahmin’s land?”
Police identified the victim as Shahid, a resident of the Resham Bari locality. Officials said he had offered prayer during the month of Ramadan on land located near the Atriya Temple. Shahid told authorities he had been working in the area for several days and maintained that the spot where he prayed was at a considerable distance from the temple premises.
Following the assault, members of the Muslim community accompanied Shahid to a local police station, where a formal complaint was lodged. Community members also alleged that one of the accused is a murder convict currently out on parole, though police have not publicly confirmed that claim.
Sharma said that activities related to other religions would not be permitted on temple land, even if legal action were initiated against him.
Police later visited the site and appealed to members of both communities to maintain calm. Shahid was sent for medical examination, and officials said further legal action would be taken based on the complaint and the findings of the investigation.
The incident drew political condemnation. Municipal councillor Parvez Qureshi described the assault as “extremely serious” and demanded strict action. Congress leader Sofia Naz said violence and forced religious sloganeering run contrary to constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of religion.
In a statement posted on social media, the Indian National Congress linked the attack to what it described as a broader climate of hate, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological affiliate, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, of fostering hostility toward minorities.
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