Man assaulted in Uttarakhand for refusing slogans
Image via The Indian Express
Dehradun, August 18, 2025 – A disturbing case of communal violence has shaken Uttarakhand. On Friday, August 15, a Muslim man was assaulted in Pauri Garhwal district after he refused to chant religious slogans. The incident, which took place on Independence Day, was recorded on video by the attackers themselves. Police have arrested three men and launched strict legal action.
The Assault at a Tea Shop
The victim, Rizwan Ahmad, is a 45-year-old resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. He had gone to a tea shop run by Rakesh Lal at Dungripanth, near Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal district. According to police, he was having tea around 4 PM on August 15, when three men confronted him.
The accused—later identified as Mukesh Bhatt, Naveen Bhandari, and Manish Bisht—were drinking at the shop. They were reportedly intoxicated. One of them suddenly demanded that Rizwan chant “Jai Shri Ram.” When he refused, they turned aggressive.
They pulled at his beard, hurled abuses, and even threatened to cut it off. They shouted that if he wanted to stay in India, he must chant religious slogans. Rizwan was also forced to say “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” When he resisted, he was beaten up.
Caught on Camera
The horrifying assault did not stop there. The attackers recorded the incident on their mobile phones. The video soon circulated online, sparking outrage.
In the clip, Rizwan is seen struggling while the men hit him and pull his beard. One of them can be heard saying:
- “If you live in Hindustan, you must chant Jai Shri Ram.”
- “Say Bharat Mata ki Jai loudly, otherwise we will cut you.”
- “We will cut you by halal, we will cut you by jhatka.”
Such provocative and communal statements have alarmed authorities as well as local citizens.
Escape and Complaint
Despite the assault, Rizwan managed to break free. He rushed out of the shop, ran towards his vehicle parked nearby, and drove away. Later, he went straight to the Srinagar police station to file a complaint.
He told police that he felt humiliated and terrified. He also mentioned that another man from Saharanpur, Muhtiyar Puttan Islam, was also forced by locals to chant slogans in a separate incident earlier the same day.
Swift Police Action
Police immediately registered a case. The FIR was filed under serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including:
- Section 115(2): Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between different religious groups
- Section 299: Deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings
- Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation
- Section 352: Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
The three accused were soon tracked down and arrested. All are locals from different parts of Uttarakhand—
- Mukesh Bhatt belongs to Rishikesh
- Naveen Bhandari comes from Chinyalisaur, Uttarkashi
- Manish Bisht is a resident of Srinagar town in Pauri district
They were produced before court and remain in custody while investigations continue.
Police Statement
Police officials confirmed that the attack was motivated by religious slogans and fueled by alcohol. A senior officer said:
“The victim was targeted only because he refused to chant a slogan. This is unacceptable. We have arrested the accused and strict legal action will follow.”
Officials also appealed to the public not to share the disturbing video on social media to prevent further tension.
Victim’s Experience
Rizwan has described the incident as the most frightening moment of his life. In his statement he said:
“They grabbed my beard and tried to cut it. They beat me and forced me to chant slogans. I somehow managed to escape. I still feel unsafe.”
The case has drawn attention to the growing pressure on minorities in some regions to chant religious slogans against their will.
Independence Day Tension
What makes the incident more shocking is the timing. The assault happened on August 15, India’s Independence Day. On a day meant to celebrate unity, freedom, and diversity, such an attack highlights deep social fractures.
Independence Day should remind citizens of the values of tolerance and equality. Instead, this assault has raised concerns about rising intolerance in parts of the country.
Larger Concerns
Incidents like this are not isolated. Human rights groups and community leaders have warned against forced slogans and mob intimidation. The use of violence to enforce a particular identity not only violates personal freedom but also threatens the secular fabric of the nation.
Social harmony in Uttarakhand, known as “Devbhoomi” or the land of gods, has usually been peaceful. However, cases like this risk disturbing that balance.
Public Reactions
The video has gone viral on social media. Many users expressed anger and demanded strict punishment. Some called it a clear hate crime, while others urged people not to communalise Independence Day celebrations.
Community leaders have appealed for calm but also stressed that such behavior must not be tolerated. Civil society groups are expected to hold meetings to discuss the incident in coming days.