Hindu wedding procession ambushed by Muslim men, victims attacked with sticks
Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India 
5 March, 2025
Case Summary
A Hindu family was attacked in Saidpur Khurd village, located in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. According to media reports, Vikas, son of Naresh Kashyap, was leading his wedding procession through the village. As part of the celebrations, firecrackers were burst. During this, one firecracker accidentally landed on a pile of wood belonging to a Muslim man named Sartaj, causing a small fire. The wedding guests promptly put out the flames. However, Sartaj became furious and initiated a heated argument with the Hindu family, which quickly escalated into violence. Soon, Sartaj and his family attacked the Hindu wedding guests with sticks. Amidst the assault, a Hindu youth named Amit was forcibly taken away by Sartaj’s family and brutally beaten. Several others, including Jagmohan, Pratap, Roki, Jaibeer, and Deepak, sustained injuries and had to be rushed to the district hospital for treatment. The attack triggered large-scale chaos in Saidpur Khurd village. Upon receiving the information, a police team arrived at the scene and managed to de-escalate the situation. With police presence ensuring security, the wedding rituals were eventually completed. Meanwhile, Sartaj and his associates fled their homes. The police launched raids in the village and registered a case against 14 identified individuals and 50 unidentified suspects for the violent attack.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Despite the targeted violence against a Hindu wedding procession, this case has been placed in the Undecided database due to the lack of conclusive evidence proving religious motivation. The conflict began when a firecracker from the procession accidentally ignited a small fire on Sartaj’s property, which was immediately extinguished. However, Sartaj and his family react with disproportionate violence, attacking the wedding guests and brutally assaulting a Hindu youth. While the immediate trigger was property damage, the level of violence suggests that the victims’ Hindu identity may have played a role in escalating the attack. Given the broader pattern of assaults on Hindu religious processions, this cannot be ignored. However, the absence of explicit anti-Hindu slurs, hate speech, or clear communal intent prevents it from being definitively classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. If additional information surfaces—such as statements, intent, or patterns indicating a targeted attack on the Hindus—the case will be re-evaluated and categorised accordingly.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 10 to 100
Perpetrators Gender
male
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