Bajrang Dal activist thrashes meat shop owner in Hisar

A man claiming to be a member of the Bajrang Dal allegedly assaulted a meat shop owner and forced him to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' at Camp Chowk market in Hisar. The police took cognisance of the matter after a video of the incident went viral on social media on Friday.

The incident purportedly occurred on Tuesday and a youth accompanying the person who assaulted the shop owner filmed a video of the incident.

In the video, the youth is seen repeatedly slapping the shop owner stating how dare he open the meat shop on a Tuesday. He also forced him to chant 'Jai Shri Ram'.

Hisar Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan said the police had taken note of the viral video and initiated an inquiry. He said no formal complaint had yet been received from any party.

When contacted, Jeevan, the shop owner, said he was from Nainital. He said the incident occurred around 8 pm on Tuesday when a man entered his shop and began assaulting him while questioning why the shop was open. “Some people were present nearby but did not intervene. Later, the police arrived at the spot, after which the youth left. The police, too, left soon after,” Jeevan said, adding that he had not filed a complaint so far.

Amit Kaimri, district convener of the Bajrang Dal, said the person seen in the video had been identified as Ranbir, who is associated with the organisation. Sources said another individual accompanying Ranbir had recorded the video.