3 madrasa teachers assaulted aboard train

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, November 23

Three madrasa teachers were severely beaten up by passengers as they were getting off a train at the Ahera halt in Baghpat, 55 km from Delhi, late last night. A case was filed at the Baghpat Kotwali police station, which was later transferred to the Government Railway Police.

Downplaying the incident, Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said while deboarding, the teachers entered into a verbal duel with some co-passengers which turned nasty. He maintained that the complaint did not point to a communal angle. However, he was at a loss for words when asked why the teachers in a Muslim attire had been singled out.

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Gulzar, Israr and Abrar  said they were returning from Delhi. “As we walked towards the coach exit, the door was locked by a group of youths. Asked why they had done so, they began hitting us.” Baffled, Israr asked why they were being targeted. One of them responded: “Rumaal kyon pehente ho?” clearly referring to the keffiyeh.