Maharashtra: Muslim Man Beaten To Pulp On Train, Abused Over Suspicion Of Carrying Beef

An elderly man, Ashraf Munyar, endured a horrifying ordeal on a moving train in Maharashtra, where he was repeatedly slapped, abused, and interrogated by a group of co-passengers who suspected him of carrying beef.

The disturbing incident, captured in a video filled with expletives, shows nearly a dozen men aggressively questioning the visibly shaken man over the contents of two large plastic boxes he was carrying.

They demanded to know, "What are you carrying? Where are you going? Where are you from? Don't you get goats there? How many people are going to eat it?"

Munyar, a resident of Jalgaon district, was on the Dhule Express, traveling to visit his daughter's house in Malegaon.

In response to the barrage of questions, he weakly explained that the meat was meant for his daughter's family.

However, this did not satisfy the men, who continued to badger him, recording the exchange on their phones.

At one point, Munyar clarified that the boxes contained buffalo meat, to which one of the men responded ominously, "We will know about it (the kind of meat) once we get it tested."

Another man expressed his indignation, saying, "It's sawan season. It's our festival, and you are doing this."

The incident occurred during the holy month of Shravan (Sawan), which is considered sacred by Hindus.

The Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act of 1976 bans the slaughter of cows, bulls, and bullocks, though buffaloes are not included under this prohibition.

The video, which went viral, prompted the Railway Commissioner to confirm the incident and register a First Information Report (FIR).

The Government Railway Police (GRP) has launched an investigation and identified two suspects from Dhule. A police team has been dispatched to apprehend them.

Despite the severity of the incident, Munyar was initially reluctant to file a formal complaint.

The incident drew sharp criticism from political leaders, including Jitendra Awhad, a prominent figure in Sharad Pawar's NCP camp.

Awhad condemned the attack and questioned the current state of law and order in Maharashtra, stating, "Some youngsters beat him up because they thought he was carrying beef. This is not Maharashtra. This is not our culture. Where will this stop?"

He further emphasized the diverse dietary habits in the state, saying, "80 per cent of people in Maharashtra are non-vegetarians, this is our Maharashtra. 95 per cent of the people on the coastal line are non-vegetarians.

We respect all religions. We respect Jains too, but what's this hate of beating people on the basis of suspicion? They would have run away by now too. How are they not ashamed to beat someone, who is as old as your father?"