In the latest development in the Ghaziabad assault case, police have arrested two additional suspects: Kalloo Gujjar and Adil. Abdul Samad Saifi, an elderly Muslim man, was beaten up and reportedly forced to sing “Jai Shri Ram.” Polly, Arif, Mushahid, and Parvesh Gujjar, among others, had attacked the man.
There were allegations that the attack was a hate crime when the video went viral, however it turns out that the entire event erupted over a purportedly “magical” tabeez (amulet). Since at least three Muslim mens were engaged in Abdul’s attack, the storey that he was compelled to shout “Jai Shri Ram” is extremely suspicious and appears to be an attempt to stir communal conflict.
According to sources, three arrests have been made so far in the case. The main accused, Parvesh Gujjar, was nabbed by the police on Sunday. He had been previously involved in a murder case, assault and Arms Act cases.
Earlier, reports of Abdul Samad Saifi being kidnapped by miscreants and forcing him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ started doing the rounds. The accused in the video was identified as Parvesh Gujjar, a resident of Ghaziabad.
Abdul later released a video describing the attack. “They kicked and punched me and forced me to shout ‘Jai Shri Ram’,” he said, breaking into tears. “They put a gun to my head and said they’ll kill me. They continued to beat me for hours and I kept screaming.”
However, the original video that was made viral showing the old man being attacked has been muted. It was reported that in the original video, which the cops have seen, nowhere does anyone ask Abdul to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Even the original complaint that Abdul lodged has no reference to the chant.
