A Muslim labourer was seriously injured after being assaulted by a group of men in Bihar’s Madhubani district, allegedly after being branded a “Bangladeshi” and questioned about his nationality, police said and the Maktoob Media reported.
The victim, identified as Noorshed Alam, sustained multiple injuries and was later seen with his head bandaged, bearing visible bruises and swelling. According to Alam, the attack was triggered by his inability to loudly chant a religious slogan, following which he was subjected to suspicion and violence.
Alam told police as reported by the Maktoob Media, that he was asked to chant “Jai Shri Ram” and that his hesitation led the attackers to accuse him of being a foreign national. He said he was repeatedly questioned about his nationality during the assault and believes he was targeted because of his Muslim identity.
One video circulating on social media shows one of the assailants holding Alam’s mobile phone and claiming it contained phone numbers from Pakistan and Bangladesh as alleged proof that he was not Indian. However, police later clarified that no objectionable or suspicious material was found on the device.
In an official statement, the police confirmed that Alam is an Indian citizen and a resident of Supaul district in Bihar, dismissing claims that he was a foreigner. An FIR has been registered in the case under charges including attempt to murder.
Madhubani Superintendent of Police Yogendra Kumar said swift action had been taken. “An FIR has been registered against the accused. Two named individuals have been identified so far, and a special team has been formed to trace and arrest the remaining persons involved,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns over mob violence driven by unfounded allegations of nationality and identity, particularly against marginalised communities.
The assault comes amid a series of similar incidents reported across the country. Recently, a Dalit migrant worker from Chhattisgarh was lynched in Kerala’s Palakkad district after being labelled a thief. In a video of that incident, one of the attackers is heard asking the victim if he was “Bangladeshi.”
