Prominent and influential Muslims of Delhi and Noida are staging a protest at Jantar Mantar against the barbaric murder of a 52-year-old man in Greater Noida because of the rumours that he ate beef.
Several citizen forums have come together to raise their voice against Monday’s incident.
A WhatsApp group consisting of Muslim intellectuals wrote, ” RISE UP AGAINST THE DADRI AND KANPUR COMMUNAL LYNCH MOB KILLING! SPEAK OUT AGAINST SPIRALLING COMMUNAL KILLINGS AND HATE MONGERING! Join a Citizens’ Protest Vigil on 2 Oct at Jantar Mantar 3pm onwards.”
The event is being organised by a Noida based group consisting of prominent businessmen, former armed forces officers and journalists.
One former Air Force officer told www.jantakareporter.com, “We are asking media: Is Dadri mob murder a Muslim issue or Indian Democratic issue? Shouldn’t this Mob Lynching be protested at a higher level than Nirbhaya rape incident? Is it not ‘Rise of Hindu Terror’ in the neighbourho? Shouldn’t all Indians condemn this or should it be Muslim protest?”
Another businessman, who too requested anonymity fearing reprisal from the BJP-led central government said that they planned to protest outside the house of Noida MP Mahesh Sharma, who had described the murder as a mere accident.
Urging his WhatsApp group members, he said, “Can’t we meet Mahesh Sharma and know the facts.We should gherao him either in Noida or at his residence.”
There’s also a palpable anger among Muslim community against their community leaders.
One said, “I wanted to go and meet Ikhlaq’s family but dropped the idea because (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi was there.”
Other asked,” Where’s Azam Khan. Why is he lapata (missing)?”
Ikhlaq was lynched to death on Monday after an announcement was made from a nearby temple that a cow had been slaughtered in the neighbourhood. The mob attacked Ikhlaq killing him and critically injuring his 21-year-old son. His other son is serving with the Indian Air Force as an engineer.