Muslim man shot dead after Holi dispute in India
Muslim man killed in northern India after village dispute escalates into shooting, police detain local leader
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A 60-year-old Muslim man was shot dead in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state after a dispute linked to Holi celebrations escalated into deadly violence, police and family members said.
The victim, identified as Aas Muhammad, was killed in Chadipur village in Ghazipur district, a rural area in eastern Uttar Pradesh near the border with the state of Bihar.
According to local accounts, tensions began during Holi — a Hindu festival widely celebrated across India in which participants throw colored powders and water at each other — when a quarrel broke out between Muhammad’s children and the son of a local resident, Arvind Pandey, also known as Twinkle.
Residents said the disagreement over the application of colors quickly turned physical, with both sides sustaining injuries as bricks and stones were thrown during the confrontation.
Family members said Muhammad had attempted to avoid the altercation and stayed inside his house when Pandey allegedly came looking for him during the dispute.
Relatives later said Muhammad’s sons and grandsons visited Pandey’s house the following day to apologize and attempt to defuse tensions.
However, according to the family’s account, the situation escalated again on Sunday when Muhammad stepped outside his home. Pandey allegedly shot him with a licensed firearm, killing him at the scene.
Family members also accused local police of failing to properly respond to their earlier complaint after the initial clash.
Mohammad Mehraj, a relative of the victim, alleged that members of the opposing group had assaulted Muhammad’s family during Holi celebrations while intoxicated.
“We went to the police, but they did not listen to us,” Mehraj said. “Aas was even beaten while in custody after the incident.”
Another relative, Shahid, Muhammad’s grandson, said the family had tried to prevent violence during the initial confrontation.
“On Holi they came to beat him and we tried to save him. The next day he was killed,” he said.
Police have detained the village pradhan, an elected head of the village council under India’s local governance system, who is alleged to have played a role in the dispute.
Authorities said raids are underway to arrest the main accused and identify others involved in the killing.
Police patrols have also been increased in the village to prevent further tensions, with officials saying those responsible will face legal action once the investigation is completed.
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