Muslim rickshaw driver assaulted in Kanpur, UP

A Muslim man in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was assaulted and paraded through the street on Wednesday, 500 metres away and right after a Bajrang Dal meeting, reports NDTV. The 45-year-old was further forced to chant Jai Shri Ram slogans and handed over to the police. The footage shot by locals shows the man's little daughter raising pleas to spare him and the man being assaulted while in police custody.

The victim is a relative of a Muslim family involved in a legal dispute with their Hindu neighbours. The two families had also filed cases against one another in July. While the Muslims filed an FIR for assault and criminal intimidation, the Hindus filed a case for "assault with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman". The Bajrang Dal, who got involved, then made claims of forcible conversion of a Hindu girl against the Muslim family.

The Kanpur police said that they have filed a case of rioting based on a complaint by the assaulted man. The case is against a local who runs a marriage band, his son and 10 unknown others. It is unclear as to whether those named are affiliated with the Bajrang Dal.

"I was driving my e-rickshaw around 3 pm when the accused started abusing and assaulting me and threatening to kill me and my family. I got saved because of the police," the man, who is an e-rickshaw driver, said in his complaint. Raveena Tyagi, a senior police official, has informed that the due legal process is being carried out.