A group of men were seen on camera assaulting two Kashmiri youths in Daliganj locality in Uttar Pradesh’s capital city.
One person has been arrested following the attack.
In the first video shared by journalist Prashant Kumar, the men are seen violently asking a vendor to pack his stall and move out. Seconds later, a passer-by is seen coming to the rescue of the vendor. He intervenes asks the men what the matter is, to which they say, “Kashmiri hai,” in a tone indicating that being Kashmiri was evidence enough for him to be lammed. In response, the passerby adds that the men should not take law in their hands, and if they have a problem, they should call the police.
SHOCKING: Some goons in saffron kurtas throttle, assault a Kashmiri dry fruit seller in Lucknow. Passersby come to rescue of the Kashmiri. Case yet to be registered.
Hope @Uppolice @Igrangelucknow @lkopolice register an FIR and jab these goondas at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/zXjI3Anh2n
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 6, 2019
In a second video, the men are seen hurling abuses and thrashing another Kashmiri vendor with a stick, asking him to fill up his bag with the stuff he displayed at his stall by the street, and get out. The journalist who tweeted the video added that this is not the ‘New India’ anyone hoped for, and is enough for Indians to hang their heads in shame.
SECOND video of the attack. These cries of this Kashmiri should make us all hand our heads in shame. Truly disgusted to see these clips. This is not the #NewIndia anyone can hope for. India is big, our hearts are bigger. Kashmir is our and so are the Kashmiris. pic.twitter.com/L7nXAqL2vf
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 6, 2019
The main accused, identified as Bajranj Sonkar, has been arrested, said a police official. Sonkar claims to be the president of the Vishwa Hindu Dal.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, hitting out at the video said that videos like these will only further damage the idea of India in the heads of Kashmiris. “Nothing will do more damage to the idea of India in J&K than videos like these. Keep thrashing Kashmiris like this on the streets at the hands of RSS/Bajrang Dal goons & then try to sell the idea of “atoot ang”, it simply wont fly.”
Nothing will do more damage to the idea of India in J&K than videos like these. Keep thrashing Kashmiris like this on the streets at the hands of RSS/Bajrang Dal goons & then try to sell the idea of “atoot ang”, it simply wont fly. https://t.co/MYkuEuDLjj
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 7, 2019
Some also tweeted in appreciation of the passerby who stopped the assault. A journalist wrote, “When #Kashmiri traders were being beaten by right wing goons in #Lucknow yesterday, this gentleman in the pic -perhaps a local who was passing by – stepped in , told off the goons and stopped the assault . Don’t know who he is but till people like him are around there is hope!”
When #Kashmiri traders were being beaten by right wing goons in #Lucknow yesterday, this gentleman in the pic -perhaps a local who was passing by – stepped in , told off the goons and stopped the assault . Don’t know who he is but till people like him are around there is hope ! pic.twitter.com/FttzOd1WbP
— Alok Pandey (@alok_pandey) March 7, 2019
This is reportedly the latest in a series of incidents of violence against Kashmiris in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.
Also Read: One Word From Modi Would Have Stopped ABVP Goons From Attacking Kashmiri Students: Ramachandra Guha
(With PTI inputs)