A Muslim student from Jammu and Kashmir was brutally assaulted by members of Hindutva organisations after attending a Garba event during Navratri celebrations in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh.
The victim, Aftab Hussain, hails from Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir and is pursuing his studies at Dr Harisingh Gour Central University in Sagar.
The incident came to light on Sunday after videos of the assault surfaced on social media. In one clip, Hussain can be seen being dragged by his collar as a mob rains blows on him, while another shows him being attacked inside the Garba pandal.
According to reports, Hussain had gone to attend the celebration after being invited by a friend, who had also arranged an entry pass for him. However, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly confronted him, accusing him of concealing his identity, which led to the mob attack.
Shockingly, instead of being given protection, Hussain was taken into police custody despite having a clean academic record and no unlawful background.
The assault has sparked widespread outrage, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the violence, calling the perpetrators “goons of the VHP and Bajrang Dal.”
“If Kashmiri students can’t even participate in your events, what does sabka saath mean? You’ve exposed yourselves as the most anti-national, communal force in this country,” Mehdi wrote, adding that groups like the BJP and RSS have enabled such bigotry.
Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), also strongly criticised both the assault and the police handling of the case.
“Shockingly, instead of being protected, he was taken into police custody despite a clean academic record and no unlawful background,” Khuehami said, urging authorities to ensure Hussain’s safety, release, and medical care.
He accused fringe groups of weaponising religion to vilify Kashmiri Muslim students and “poisoning cultural traditions” such as Garba for political mileage.
“Targeted violence against Kashmiri youth is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and a grave threat to India’s unity and social harmony,” Khuehami stated.
He also criticised the silence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the issue.
On Tuesday, Khuehami confirmed that Aftab Hussain had been released from police custody after the Madhya Pradesh police found him innocent, noting that the intervention of state DGP Kailash Makwana helped prevent false charges.
