Thrashing Muslim youth over Jai Mata Ki: Imams demand action

New Delhi: The chief imam of the All India Imam Organisation ( AIIO), Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, on Wednesday described the thrashing of three madrassa students for not chanting 'Jai Mata Ki' as most unfortunate, and called on the concerned authorities to take punitive action against those trying to spread intolerance and hatred in society.

"It is unfortunate and it has come at the time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone on a visit to a place revered by Muslims to make good relations there. Strict action should be taken against those who tried to spoil the environment of the society," Ilyasi told ANI here.

He also said there is need to strengthen nationalism and the sense of being Indian.

Three Muslim youth- Dilkash, Mohammad Ajmal and Naeem-- were allegedly beaten up by unidentified men at a park in outer Delhi's Begampur area, as they refused to chant pro-religious and national slogans such as 'Jai Mata Ki' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

"We had gone to a nearby park. Some men came and slapped one of my friends. They asked us to say 'Jai Mata Ki' and 'Bharat Mata Ki' and threatened to kill us. I don't know them, but I can recognise them. We called up Hafiz and then the police came and we were being taken to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital," said Dilkash, one of the victims.

Another victim, Mohammad Ajmal, said they were not given a chance to say anything, adding that their skull caps were thrown and crushed with feet.

"They asked us to say 'Jai Mata Ki'. Suddenly one of them came and thrashed me with a bamboo stick. They all started beating us. We then called up our teacher. He came and called up the police," he added.

The victims called up their teacher Hafiz, who then called up the police.

They were rushed to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital for immediate treatment.

A case has been registered and further probe is on.