A visually-impaired, elderly man has reportedly been assaulted and abused after being forced to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’, by two adults on the outskirts of Gangavathi, a city in Karnataka.
The incident which occurred near the Gangavathi autostand, past midnight on the 25th of November, happened after Hussain Saab, a man in his seventies, was returning home and was stopped by two men on a motorbike. He was taken by them to be robbed and abused, verbally and physically only to be thrown off on the streets as passersby began to gather.
Hussain Saab was allegedly kidnapped and taken to an isolated location in Siddikere, where he was pushed to the ground, and dragged by his legs causing severe injuries to his back. One of the accused even attempted to chop his beard using a broken glass bottle. After failing to do so, they burnt it with a match. Upon asking for help, they responded with Islamophobic slurs and said “Allah won’t come for your rescue now”, said Hussain Saab.
A group of shepherds reportedly came to Hussain’s rescue towards dawn and ensured that he returned to his daughter.
The elderly man was hospitalised three days after the incident because of difficulty in breathing sustained by injuries to his chest.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) visited Hussain at his residence and proceeded with an advocate to file charges at the local police station in Gangavathi where they were refused and asked to file charges at the rural police station.
An FIR regarding the case is yet to be lodged by the Police based on the complaint filed. Salim Maniar, SDPI President for Koppal District has alleged ‘indifference’ on part of the police.
