Welcome to New India where a Muslim boy is beaten for drinking water in a temple

Asif beaten by Shringi Nandan Yadav for drinking water in a temple

I was shocked by watching a video of a man purportedly beating a 14-year-old Muslim boy inside a temple in Ghaziabad that went viral on Social media. 

In the video, it is seen that accused Shringi Nandan Yadav after knowing that a Muslim boy has entered temple premises, first approaches the boy, then hugs him and asks him his and his father's name. After the boy mentioned his name as Asif, Yadav then exhibits his mental weakness against Muslims and he continues to beat and abuse verbally. This kid's fault was that despite being his name is Asif and he was drinking water at a Temple.The accused identified Shringi Nandan Yadav, a native of Bhagalpur in Bihar was arrested by the Ghaziabad Police on Friday night after the video of the assault went viral.

Affan Nomani

Taking suo motu (on its own) cognizance of the video, police registered an FIR under Indian Penal Code sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and also provisions of the Information Technology Act.

Talking to the Media Asif Father said that “My son stopped to drink water from a tap located inside the temple as he was thirsty. He was beaten up after they asked about his identity. He suffered a head injury. He generally doesn’t venture inside the temple but this time he told me he was just very thirsty. I have asked him not to go there in the future,” 

The temple authorities said that they had barred the entry of people from non-Hindu communities.

“There are several taps outside the temple from where people drink water. Our caretakers caught the boy spitting inside the temple. They have been arrested and we will seek legal recourse to get them bail,” said Yati Narsimhanand Saraswati, another caretaker of the temple. ( Hindustan Times, March 13, 2021). 

Now see the mental weakness of the temple authority and Yati Narsimhanand Saraswati against Muslims. 

Welcome to New India where a Muslim boy is beaten for drinking water in a temple. This minor Muslim boy was beaten just because he prayed to a different God.  Now India is on the precipice of being transformed into a majoritarian state ruled by an ethnic and religious majority. We are in new India where the difference is frowned upon and where dissent is criminalized. This is an India where mob rule has overwhelmed the rule of law. 

The New India of the BJP is normal of hatred and bigotry. This new normal is an unholy alliance of corporate interests and Hindutva zealots. It is defined by upturning the rule of law, sabotage of institutions, and the creation of an atmosphere of fear. India has become a republic of fear instead of a republic of hope.