MP invokes NSA, razes home of suspect behind man-on-leash video
What's the story
The Madhya Pradesh government has invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against three Muslim men after a video of a man allegedly being held on a leash and forced to bark like a dog in Bhopal went viral. The victim, identified as Vijay Ramchandani, alleged in his police complaint that he was coerced into converting to Islam.
Further information
3 suspects arrested based on victim's complaint
The three suspects—Sameer, Sajid, and Faizan Lal—have been arrested based on the complaint. Earlier in the evening, the local administration, in the presence of police, demolished Sameer's residence. The crackdown was ordered by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who had urged the Bhopal police commissioner to take harsh action against the three.
Twitter Post
Local administration destroys house of suspect
#WATCH | Local administration in the presence of police demolishes the residence of Sameer Khan who is accused of brutally thrashing and harassing a youth in Bhopal #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/bj4urY0WVm
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) June 19, 2023
Details
Details on what happened
In the viral video, a man can be heard saying, "Ask forgiveness. Bark like a dog. Don't run. Whatever Sahil bhai is saying, just do that." The victim, who is seen on a leash, can then be heard pleading, "Sahil is my father. He is my elder brother." "Her mother is my mother and my mother is her mother," he added.
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Victim asked to name individual over social media post
While the scared youth gets repeatedly asked to say sorry, he responds to the men, saying, "I have said sorry. I have not done anything." The group of men can also be heard questioning the victim about the person who asked him to share the story, to which he responds, "I didn't upload it. Did that at the behest of Shahrukh. He threatens me."
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Victim's family blames 'Sahil and his gang'
As per India Today, the victim's family claimed that "Sahil and his gang" forced the youngster to do drugs, convert his religion, and eat meat. They also alleged that the youth was forced to rob his own home and that the police did not take a complaint when the victim's brother approached them. The victim, distressed by the incident, decided to make the video.
Twitter Post
TW: Video of youth being bullied
India 🇮🇳: Muslim mob forced a Hindu man Vijay to kneel & bark like a dog after putting a belt around his neck, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
— Ashwini Shrivastava (@AshwiniSahaya) June 19, 2023
They didn't stop there, further off the camera, Muslim men Faizan, Bilal, Sameer, Mufid and Sahil abused him about Mother and Sister &… pic.twitter.com/0eSvjt2V8b