Mahadalits in Bihar’s Begusarai accuse Muslims of abusing and attacking them

Members of the Mahadalit community have lodged a complaint against some members of the Muslim community in Bihar’s Begusarai district for committing atrocities and perpetrating violence against them.

Shankar Paswan and his family members have alleged that a few Muslims in the Pipra Dewas village hurled casteist abuses and attacked them with sharp weapons.

Local Hindu organizations have said that the Muslims in the village tortured the members of the Mahadalit community. OpIndia reported that in a meeting organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti under Vijay Paswan at a Shiva temple, the victim asserted that some Muslims hurled casteist abuses like ‘Dusadh-Dusadh’ and also attacked them with weapons.

They also said that the anti-social and bigoted elements in Muslim community also abused Hindu Gods. When members of the Mahadalit community had confronted them, they rounded up the locality carrying brickbats, spears, rods, and swords. They smashed the windows of one Munna Devi with brickbats and liquor bottles.

The FIR mentions that some Muslim youths including Mohammed Chhotu and Raja Mian abused and hurled casteist remarks at Vivek Kumar outside a shop when he was with a few friends. When Vivek came home hurt, Shankar Paswan started a protest at the shop. Shankar Prasad’s confrontation had irked Mohammad Shahnawaz, Mohammad Khalid, Mohammad Zubair, Mohammad Israel, Mohammad Shadik Miyan, Mohammad Imran and people from other Muslim communities, including Mohammad Manzoor Alam who later went on to abuse his family and other members of the Mahadalit community. Shankar was hit on the head with a brick while Vivek was attacked with weapons. Apart from this, a one Muhammad Zubair ran away with a covering gold necklace worth ₹1000.  The complaint registered mentions that the Muslim anti-social elements threatened to molest the daughter-in-law of Mahadalits and also of the community’s extermination.

On the other hand, a complaint has been registered by the Muslim side by the wife one Mohammad Abbas saying that the Mahadalits molested her. She says that the Mahadalit community gathered and ogled at the ladies of the house. The FIR goes on to blame the entire Hindu community.

Vijay Paswan mentions that the local administration was apathetic to their plight and accused of colluding with the anti-social elements. He also says that no action has been taken even after days.

The Hindu Sangharsh Samiti has warned of a youth led protest if action is not taken. BJP Yuva Morcha President too has appealed to the administration to take strict action against the perpetrators.

However, the police have denied the allegation of inaction and said that action was taken as soon as they came to know of the incident. They said that the injured members of the Mahadalit community were taken to the hospital in a police vehicle.

Currently, further investigation is underway.

Source: OpIndia