Hindu Attacked for Playing Hanuman Chalisa [Bengaluru, Karnataka, India]

(Reported as seen)

Tension escalated in Bengaluru’s Siddanna Galli area after a Hindu shop owner, Mukesh Kumar, was reportedly attacked by a group of youths for playing Hanuman Chalisa and other Hindu devotional songs in his shop, located near a mosque. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, sparked outrage among local traders, leading to protests outside the Halasuru Gate Police Station.

According to reports, Mukesh, who runs a shop named Vardhaman Telecom, was confronted by 5 to 6 individuals who objected to the playing of bhajans during Azaan time. A verbal altercation ensued, escalating into physical assault as the accused youths dragged Mukesh out of his shop and thrashed him, as captured by CCTV footage.

Mukesh alleged that since the opening of his shop two months ago, the accused had been harassing him, attempting extortion under the guise of “roll calls.” Despite submitting a complaint at the Halasuru Gate Police Station, there were purported delays in registering an FIR against the accused.

However, following pressure from local traders who gathered outside the police station, an FIR was lodged, and three main accused, identified as Suleiman, Shahnawaz, and Rohit, have been arrested so far. The police denied any communal angle to the incident, attributing it to a disagreement over the volume of speakers near the mosque.

Speaking to OpIndia, the Halasuru Gate Police Station incharge refuted claims of reluctance in registering the FIR, stating that immediate action was taken upon receiving the complaint. However, he acknowledged the presence of around a hundred protesters outside the police station, emphasizing that the altercation was not communal in nature but centered on the playing of songs near the mosque.

An ongoing investigation is underway, with efforts to arrest the remaining accused individuals involved in the incident. The situation remains tense in Siddanna Galli as authorities work to ensure peace and resolve the underlying tensions in the locality.