Muslim mob pelts stones on Hindus seeking action against Muslim Instagram user; had abused Hindu user for greeting his followers with 'Jai Shri Ram'
Vadodara, Gujarat, India 
21 February, 2024
Case Summary
On February 22, in Vadodara, Gujarat, a group of Hindu youths filed a complaint at Navapura Police Station against a Muslim youth for making abusive remarks during an Instagram Live by a Hindu businessman. The police arrested the Muslim youth and 10 others involved in the stone-pelting incident that followed. Jatin Patel, the businessman, went live on Instagram, greeted his customers with "Jai Shri Ram," and was met with offensive remarks from a user named Sahid Patel. Jatin attempted to address the situation but was met with threats from Sahid. He then lodged a complaint with the police. Other Hindu activists gathered at the police station demanding action against Sahid. A Muslim mob of 100-150 individuals attacked the Hindu group, pelting stones and injuring several people. The police intervened with a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, and the injured were taken to the hospital.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In several cases, Hindus are attacked for opposing religiously motivated crimes being committed against a fellow Hindu or simply for voicing an opinion opposing radical elements, who either have in the past or continue to persecute Hindus. In such cases, the initial attack against the victim, against which the Hindu was trying to defend the victim, would also need to be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Since the initial crime itself was religiously motivated and the subsequent crime of attempting to save the victim or speaking against the radical elements ends up inviting a violent attack, it would also be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. In this instance, the Muslim mob attacked members of a Hindu organisation who had gathered to show solidarity with a Hindu businessman who had met with abuse and threats by a Muslim youth for greeting his followers on Instagram with the 'Jai Shri Ram' chant. The Hindu group had reached the police station to demand action against the Muslim youth who abused the Hindu businessman on social media for no fault of his. In turn, the members of the Hindu organisation were attacked with stones. Such acts are driven by intolerance and a desire to intimidate or harm individuals based on their religious identity and qualify as a hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
