- Three Muslim meat traders in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas were brutally attacked and humiliated by a Hindutva mob of 50.
- Following a minor business dispute, the Muslim men were accused of being “Bangladeshi” illegals despite being Indian nationals. They were hospitalised with serious injuries.
On 25th January, in Jhulpiya, three Muslim meat traders: Faraz Ali Piyada (35), Akkash Ali Piyada (37), and Ansar Ali Piyada (29) were attacked by a mob of 40-50 Hindutva goons.
The victims, long-time residents of Khodar Bazar Madhyapara in Baruipur and owners of a mutton shop at Kachari market, were stripped, humiliated, and beaten severely. They were accused of being “Bangladeshi” illegals despite holding Indian citizenship.
The violence followed a minor business dispute over meat quality. After customers complained, the traders had slaughtered additional goats and refunded money to resolve the issue peacefully.
Tensions escalated in the evening when Faraz Ali was stopped near Jhulpiya Koylar Mor, dragged into a village, and surrounded by the mob. He was beaten mercilessly amid communal slurs such as “You Muslim Bangladeshis live illegally on our land.”
When Akkash arrived to help, the mob intensified the assault. They demanded identity proof, forced him to write abusive lines about his family, and humiliated him for being Muslim. His wife, Sujata Bibi, said attackers tore her clothes, touched her inappropriately, and kicked her while she tried to intervene. The mob reportedly checked circumcision marks to confirm religious identity and looted valuables from the victims. Ansar was attacked while trying to rescue his brothers.
The injured men were hospitalised in critical condition at Baruipur Hospital. Though later discharged, they remain bedridden, grappling with severe physical injuries and deep trauma.
Police have registered a case and arrested three individuals. Investigations continue, with raids targeting others, including named accused Chandan Mandal, Kartik Naskar, Indra Ghosh, and Akash. The family, frustrated with the slow pace of the probe, is seeking swift justice through law enforcement and human rights organisations.
Rights activists condemned the assault as targeted mob violence against Muslims, pointing to a disturbing pattern of branding Indian Muslims as “Bangladeshis” to somehow justify such abhorrent attacks. They warn this trend is spreading even in states that publicly promote social harmony.
This brutal incident sharply contradicts Republic Day ideals of unity and equality, highlighting the urgent need to confront rising Hindutva-driven hate crimes, lynchings and violence.
