Pune — In a shocking incident that has sparked outrage, the family of a retired Indian Army havaldar and Kargil war veteran, Hakimuddin Shaikh, has alleged harassment and intimidation by a group of nearly 80 individuals allegedly linked to a Hindutva outfit. The incident occurred in Pune’s Chandannagar area around midnight on July 28, reported the Siasat.
According to the family, the mob barged into their house, accused them of being Bangladeshi nationals, and demanded proof of Indian citizenship. Despite showing Aadhaar cards and other documents, the group allegedly declared them fake and continued to press for further proof, including from women and children in the household. Two men among the group reportedly identified themselves as policemen but chose to remain silent during the ordeal.
Irshad Shaikh, the younger brother of the veteran, told the media that the family has been residing in Pune for over six decades and includes several members who served in the Indian Army. “My elder brother Hakimuddin fought in the Kargil war and retired in 2000. Apart from him, two of my uncles were also in the army. One was injured in the 1971 war, and another fought in the 1965 war alongside Abdul Hameed,” Irshad said.
The family alleges that after the mob confrontation, they were taken to Chandannagar police station, where a woman officer confiscated their documents and asked them to wait outside. “We were told to come again the next day, or we would be declared Bangladeshis,” Irshad said.
The next day, police allegedly advised the family not to escalate the matter or file any formal complaint. Irshad claimed they were being pressured to remain silent despite the incident and that police are now attempting to cover it up.
Meanwhile, social activist Rahul Dambale of the National Conference for Minority, who is supporting the family, condemned the incident and said they are seeking registration of an FIR. “This was clearly an attempt to terrorize a law-abiding family with strong military roots. We will approach the Pune Police Commissioner and demand immediate action,” he said.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4), Somay Munde, denied that a mob had barged into the house. He claimed it was part of a drive to identify illegal Bangladeshi nationals. “Only a few police personnel were involved, and no women were taken to the station. The documents appeared to be in order,” Munde said. He added that video footage exists of the visit, which the police team conducted based on intelligence inputs.
Hakimuddin Shaikh, who now lives in Uttar Pradesh, also spoke out, saying the harassment of his family was deeply unjust. “My family has lived in Pune for over 50 years. I will approach the police and seek answers,” he stated.
The incident has triggered a wider debate on communal profiling and harassment in the name of verifying citizenship, particularly when targeted at individuals from minority communities with long-standing patriotic credentials.
