In Maharashtra, an elderly man was brutally attacked by fellow passengers on a train after they suspected him of carrying beef. The incident occurred on the Dhule-CSMT Express on August 28. The man, identified as 72-year-old Ashraf Munyar from Jalgaon, was traveling to visit his daughter in Kalyan.
Men Harass Man Carrying Meat For Daughter’s Family
A disturbing video of the assault, which has since gone viral, shows a group of men attacking Munyar. They slapped him, hurled abuse, and demanded to know what was in the large plastic boxes he was carrying. Munyar, visibly shaken, tried to explain that he was bringing buffalo meat for his daughter’s family. The men continued to harass him, recording the incident and sharing it online.
Attackers Agitated Over Beef Amid Sawan
The attackers were unhappy with Munyar’s explanation and accused him of carrying beef, which is banned in Maharashtra under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act of 1976. However, buffalo meat is not covered by this ban. The attackers were also agitated because the incident occurred during Sawan, a holy month for Hindus. Despite the violence, dozens of passengers on the train watched but did nothing to help Munyar. Some even seemed to enjoy the scene.
Two Suspects Identified From Dhule
Following the video’s spread on social media, the Government Railway Police (GRP) stepped in. They have confirmed the incident and registered a First Information Report (FIR). The police are actively searching for the attackers, with two suspects already identified from Dhule. A police team has been dispatched to find them. Initially, Munyar was reluctant to file a complaint, but the GRP convinced him to do so after the video gained widespread attention. The suspects are facing charges related to unlawful assembly, rioting, and causing harm, among others.
Political Leaders Condemn Attack
Political leaders have condemned the attack. Jitendra Awhad from Sharad Pawar’s NCP criticized the incident and highlighted the need for respect and tolerance. He noted that the majority of people in Maharashtra are non-vegetarians and urged against violence based on suspicion. The GRP has also addressed the situation by detaining a few suspects and is using CCTV footage and viral videos to track down others involved. The incident has sparked significant outrage and calls for better protection and respect for all passengers on trains.