Muslims murder a 17-year-old Hindu youth in Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) on the day of Holi !

Murder over a minor dispute

Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) – A 17-year-old youth, Amrit Sharma, was murdered by Muslims on the day of Holi in the Baraut tehsil area here following an earlier minor dispute. The incident is related to the villages of Badavad and Titroda.

1. In his complaint to the Police, Amrit’s father Rajkishor Sharma stated that his son Amrit had gone to Titroda village with his elder brother Sagar and two friends to celebrate Holi. Amrit had been called there by his friend Sameer over the phone.

2. According to the information given by the family, when Amrit, his brother and friends reached Titroda, they did not find Sameer there. During this time, Amrit went with his friends to Sajid’s shop to buy some items. There they had an argument with Chinku Jatav and some youths accompanying him. The argument escalated into a fight and the accused repeatedly attacked Amrit with knives and sharp weapons.

3. Amrit, who was seriously injured, was taken to the hospital by his brother and friends; however, he died on the way. According to the family, Amrit had been deliberately called there as part of a planned conspiracy, and people who were already waiting there attacked him.

4. The Police stated that based on Rajkishor Sharma’s complaint, a case has been registered against Chinku Jatav, Suhail, Anas, Shaukeen, Sajid and one unidentified person. They have been arrested, while one accused is absconding. The knife and sticks used in the murder have been seized by the Police. According to the Police, the incident occurred due to old enmity and a dispute during a cricket match.

The dispute had begun after a cricket ball hit Sahil’s brother !

During Police interrogation, accused Suhail said that a cricket match had been played in Badavad village a few days earlier. During the match, a ball hit by Amrit struck Sahil’s younger brother Rehan. An argument broke out between both sides over this issue, which later developed into hostility.

Names of all those mentioned in the complaint not included in the case, allege victim’s family

The victim’s family has alleged that not all the names mentioned in their complaint have been included in the case. Family members and some devout Hindu organisations have demanded strict action against the accused.

The Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and that the absconding accused will be arrested soon.

Editorial Perspective

Such incidents are yet another example of how religious fanatics cast a shadow over Hindu festivals. Those who keep preaching “communal harmony” to Hindus — why have they fallen silent now ?