Brutal Attack on Saleem Wastik after Friday Namaz for His Views against Certain Islamic Practices

• Stabbed with knife on neck, chest and stomach

• Condition serious

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – Saleem Wastik, an ex-Muslim from Loni in Ghaziabad district, who has been exposing drawbacks in Islamic practices, was brutally attacked. Some people were disturbed due to the criticism on Islam by Saleem Wastik. He was attacked with sharp weapons after morning ‘Namaz’ of Friday in the month of Ramzan. He was stabbed with a knife and has sustained a deep wound on his neck. The Police reached the place of incident as soon as they got to know about it and admitted him to GTB Hospital in Delhi. Saleem’s condition is serious.

1. Due to the wound on bis neck, his condition is serious. The identity of the assailants has not yet been made public. Saleem’s colleague informed that he was stabbed on his stomach, chest and neck.

2. Saleem’s colleague Ehsan stated that the attack was to suppress Saleem’s voice. He accused Islamic extremists without naming anyone.

Who is Saleem Wastik ?

As per the news in media, Saleem Wastik presents reformist stand about Islam. He has challenged maulavis to hold discussions on social media, and in other public programmes on Islam. Two cases were filed against him some time back for inciting religious sentiments.

Editorial Perspectives

• Many people stoop to a very low level while criticising Hindu Dharma; still Hindus counter them at ideological level; but Hindus are called ‘Intolerant’. On the other hand, a Muslim was brutally attacked for exposing drawbacks in certain Islamic practices. Will the so-called progressive factions advise Muslims to accept criticism of their religion ?
• It has been observed that many times such violent action is taken after offering ‘Namaz’. Are the people incited to attack ? It needs to be investigated and action should be taken against the concerned if found guilty.