Bengaluru shopkeeper assaulted, alleges ‘asked to stop bhajan for azaan’

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 18, 2024: A shopkeeper in Bengaluru was thrashed by a group of men after he allegedly played bhajan of Lord Hanuman at the time of azaan (Islamic call to prayer). Three people were arrested in connection with the incident. The incident occurred on Sunday in the city’s Siddanna Layout area.

 

"I was playing Hanuman bhajan. Four to five people came and said it was time for azaan and threatened to beat me if I played music. They beat me and threatened me again that they would stab me with a knife," the shopkeeper told reporters.

 

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: "I was playing Hanuman bhajan. 4-5 people came and said it is time for Azaan and if you play it we will beat you. They beat me and also threatened me that they would stab me with a knife," says the shopkeeper who was attacked by a group of over five… https://t.co/0ONOXqm2Sw pic.twitter.com/QaS7joDqe8

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2024

A video of the incident doing the rounds on social media, shows the men coming to the shop one by one. An argument soon breaks out, after which one of the men is seen grabbing the shopkeeper by his collar, prompting the latter to hit him back.

A second man also hits the shopkeeper, after which he gets out of the shop. The fight gets violent, with the men taking turns beating the shopkeeper and also proceeding to kick him.

After the assault stops, the men disperse and the shopkeeper returns to the shop with a bloodied mouth.

An FIR has been registered against the accused, who have been identified as Suleman, Shahnawaz, Rohith, Dyanish and Taruna.

The DCP Central said three of the accused have been arrested.

"We are enquiring. The group that assaulted the shopkeeper included both Hindus and Muslims," he said.

Courtesy: India Today