Muslim boy stabbed to death on train; brother says were called anti-nationals, beefeaters

A 16-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed to death and three others were beaten up by a mob after an argument over a seat took communal angle.

New Delhi, June 24: A 16-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed to death and three others were beaten up by a mob after an argument over a seat took communal angle. Junaid Khan, along with four others, was returning home from a Mathura-bound train after Eid shopping when a group of men attacked them. The incident of mob violence took place between Okhla and Asoti in Haryana on Thursday evening. The attackers allegedly called Muslim boys ‘anti-nationals’ and ‘beefeaters’.

Junaid Khan, along with his elder brother Hashim and three others – Moeen, Shaqir and Mohseen – was on his way home in Ballabgarh on a Mathura-bound train. A day before the attack Junaid and Hashim attained the title of a “Hafiz”. They were returning from Delhi’s Jama Masjid area after shopping for Eid. A group of men entered the train, made religious remarks and then attacked them with knives. While Junaid was stabbed to death, four others sustained stab wounds and were admitted in hospital later.

“They flung our skull caps, pulled my brother’s beard, slapped us, and taunted us about eating cow meat. Beef is not even cooked in our village. Once we reached Ballabhgarh, they took out knives. They were older than us — probably in their 30s — so we couldn’t do anything,” Shaqir told the Indian Express, while recalling the horrific incident. “They noticed we are Muslims because of our clothing and began taunting us. It would go on for a bit, then stop, then start again. First they slapped us, then abused us, and then between Ballabhgarh and Asaoti stations, they stabbed us,” said Shaqir, who is admitted at AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi.

Speaking to Scroll.in, Sanowar Khan, Junaid’s cousin said the group of men first made communal remarks and then got into a physical fight. He said the attackers didn’t let the boys from getting off the train at Faridabad station. He also clarified that his brothers were not carrying any meat on the train. A case of murder and criminal assault has been registered, however the FIR mentions that the two groups fought over seats. No arrest has been made so far.