Ghaziabad, Aug 10: In a deeply troubling incident, members of the Hindu Raksha Dal, a right-wing militant group, launched a brutal assault on Muslims living in slums in Ghaziabad, accusing them of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The attack, which took place on Saturday afternoon, has drawn widespread condemnation, as reported by Maktoob Media.
Eyewitnesses and video footage captured the perpetrators—armed with sticks—mercilessly beating the slum dwellers, destroying their makeshift homes, and setting their belongings ablaze. The violence erupted after the Hindu Raksha Dal issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Indian government, demanding action against alleged atrocities committed against Hindu families in Bangladesh.
Despite local police confirming that the victims were residents of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and not Bangladeshis, the Hindu Raksha Dal members continued their violent rampage, ignoring police clarifications.
Following the spread of videos depicting the violence on social media, a case was registered at Madhuban Bapudham police station. The FIR named Hindu Raksha Dal’s national president, Bhupendra Chaudhary—also known as Pinky Chaudhary—along with 15-20 unidentified individuals. Sub-Inspector Sanjeev Kumar, who appeared in a social media video, confirmed the filing of the case.
The attack in Ghaziabad is not an isolated incident. On August 8, Hindu Raksha Dal activists also targeted slum residents in Delhi’s Shastri Park, again accusing them of being Bangladeshis. The Delhi Police have acknowledged the incident and assured that appropriate action will be taken.
In response to the violence, Malik Motasim Khan, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), strongly denounced the attacks, stating, “We strongly denounce the violent attacks on innocent Muslims and their jhuggies in Ghaziabad by radical goons after accusing them of being Bangladeshi immigrants. We urge the police to arrest the culprits and take strong action against them at the earliest. Police should also initiate action against the political masters and instigators behind this attack.”
The Hindu Raksha Dal, based in Shalimar Garden, Ghaziabad, has a notorious reputation for its anti-Muslim campaigns, and these recent attacks have only further highlighted the growing concerns over communal tensions in the region.
