"Sar Tan Se Juda": Hindu Priest Brutally Stabbed, Tongue Chopped, Escalating Intercommunal Tensions

Faridabad – Intercommunal tensions have heightened in Faridabad following a brutal knife attack on a temple priest, Ravi Kashyap, widely known as Bhagat Ji. The assault occurred on the evening of June 28 while he was asleep in his Janta Colony residence. The attackers, identified as Golu, Iqbal, Sajid, and Mehtab, left Bhagat Ji with severe injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at Escorts Hospital, where his condition remains critical.

Sar Tan se Juda

According to Bhagat Ji’s family, the assailants, who belong to a specific community, chanted religious slogans such as “Takbir” and “Sar tan se juda” during the attack. This incident has sparked a fierce backlash from Hindu organizations, who vandalized the homes of the accused in retaliation. The escalating violence prompted swift intervention from the Haryana government.

Hindu Pujari was st@bbed multiple times by Shantidoots while he was sleeping near the temple. He was not only badly injured but they also chopped his tongue. Look at his condition and Listen to what he is saying. Neo Politico speaks to his family. He is asking the Hindu community… pic.twitter.com/qpmRULuBje
— Shubham Sharma (@Shubham_fd) June 30, 2024

FIR registered

Haryana Minister Moolchand Sharma visited Escorts Hospital on Sunday to check on Bhagat Ji’s health and assure the family of prompt action. Saran police station has registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 307 (attempt to murder), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).

FIR for vandalising

In response to the attack, vandalism charges have been filed against Nikhil, Rahul, and Kajal under IPC sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 427 (sentence on offender already sentenced for another offence), and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).

Social Media Incitement

An FIR has also been registered against local Hindu activist Bittu Bajrangi for his inflammatory Facebook post, which is believed to have incited further violence. In his post, Bajrangi called for a gathering of Hindu supporters in front of Ravi Bhagat’s Kali Temple. As a result, police have charged Bajrangi under sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the IPC.