Aligarh: Tensions rose in Bulakghari village of Lodha block after Imam Mustakeem was assaulted while returning home on his bicycle. The imam alleged that a group of men stopped him and demanded he chant “Jai Shri Ram.” When he refused, they beat him with sticks for nearly two hours, leaving him seriously injured. He recalled that the attackers told him not to get up and threatened to bury him on the spot.
Bystanders took Mustakeem to hospital where he received treatment. His family said he had been facing harassment for several days but had avoided lodging complaints, hoping to prevent escalation. Local Muslim residents expressed concern that the attack was part of a larger pattern of intimidation.
The police, however, denied any communal angle. Aligarh City Superintendent of Police Mrigank Shekhar Pathak stated that the incident was a “normal case of simple assault” and that no religious slogans were forced. Authorities confirmed that both parties involved were admitted to hospital and an FIR has been registered.
The conflicting accounts have unsettled the local community. Social organizations and political leaders visited the imam in hospital, demanding accountability and transparency in the investigation. Rights activists urged an impartial probe, calling for a review of CCTV footage and witness testimony to establish the truth.
The case has fueled debate about religious targeting in Uttar Pradesh, with Muslim groups warning that such assaults threaten communal harmony if not addressed with fairness.
