A 33-year-old man, Mohd Sufiyan, and his 12-year-old nephew, Abdullah, residents near Badi Kali Mandir Chowk in Lucknow, have alleged that they were assaulted by a mob late at night following a dispute during a jagran.
According to FOEJ media, Abdullah alleged that some youths asked him to bring cigarettes.
When he refused, they allegedly asked him to chant “Jai Shri Ram.” After he refused again, one of the youths allegedly slapped him.
Abdullah said a crowd then gathered, and someone struck him on the head with an iron bangle, injuring him.
According to Abdullah, around 200–250 people attending the jagran followed him to his home and allegedly pelted stones at the house and a nearby mosque.
His father, Mohd Irfan, said the family locked themselves inside the house as stones continued to be thrown.
The family later went to the terrace and called for help before the crowd dispersed.
Sufiyan also alleged that he was attacked while returning home. “They surrounded me and assaulted me,” he said. He claimed he suffered a head injury that required eight stitches and that his T-shirt was soaked in blood.
The family said they are the only Muslim household in the locality but have maintained cordial relations with their Hindu neighbours.
They further alleged that some outsiders have claimed that the mosque near their home, which they say was built in 1920 and is managed by their family, stands on temple land.
The family also alleged that they faced threats of eviction and harassment after opposing these claims.
Sufiyan named Ashish, Vikas, Anshu, Mohit, Anand and Umang among those allegedly involved.
Police have registered an FIR against Anshu, Vikas, Ashish, Anand and Mohit, along with 200–300 unidentified people.
No arrests have been reported so far.
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