Ten Men Sentenced to 10 Years in Jail in India for Lynching of Muslim Man
A court in India has handed out 10-year jail terms to 10 men for the brutal beating and subsequent death of a Muslim man, Tabrez Ansari, four years ago. The incident took place in the eastern state of Jharkhand, where Ansari was accused of stealing a motorcycle.
The case gained widespread attention after a video went viral, showing Ansari being forced to chant praises for Hindu gods while begging for his life. The video sparked outrage across India, with many expressing their shock and anger at the incident.
Ansari’s family alleged that the police denied him proper medical treatment despite his injuries, a claim that was refuted by the state police. The horrifying footage depicted Ansari tied to an electricity pole, with blood and tears streaming down his face as he was mercilessly assaulted by the mob. The attackers forced him to continuously chant Jai Shri Ram, which translates to hail Lord Ram or victory to Lord Ram in Hindi.
Despite complying with their demands, Ansari continued to be assaulted throughout the night. The following day, he was handed over to the police, who subsequently arrested him on charges of theft. His family claimed that they were not allowed to visit him during this time.
On June 22, Ansari complained of nausea, vomiting, and chest pain, and was transferred to a hospital. Sadly, he succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack and passed away.
Last week, a trial court judge, Amit Shekhar, found the 10 men guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Initially, the police faced criticism for not invoking the more severe charge of murder. However, they later included murder charges against all the accused in a supplementary charge sheet. Despite this, the judge concluded that there was insufficient evidence to convict them of murder.
This incident of lynching committed by a Hindu mob against a Muslim man is not an isolated case in India. In recent years, several similar incidents have been reported, often involving attacks on Muslims by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes. These attacks are fueled by rumors that victims have consumed beef or attempted to smuggle cows, which are considered sacred by many Hindus. Cow slaughter is prohibited in multiple Indian states.
Opposition politicians have strongly condemned the violence against the Muslim minority community. Rahul Gandhi, senior leader of the Congress party, referred to Ansari’s lynching as a blot on humanity. Critics argue that anti-Muslim violence has increased since 2014 under the Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They accuse Modi of not reprimanding such attacks promptly or strongly enough.
However, the government denies these allegations and points out that shortly after Ansari’s killing, Prime Minister Modi expressed his distress regarding the assault. Additionally, he has previously stated that killing in the name of cows is unacceptable.
The case of Tabrez Ansari’s tragic lynching sheds light on the alarming rise of communal violence and religious tensions in India. It highlights the urgent need to address and condemn such acts of violence, promoting communal harmony and unity among different religious communities. Only through a collective effort can India aspire to be a truly inclusive and tolerant nation.
