Valik Pathan attacks BJP workers for celebrating election victory, wife Shabnam throws boiling water from roof, son attacks with knife
Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India 
3 December, 2023
Case Summary
On December 4th, Madhya Pradesh Police charged four members of Vakil Pathan’s family for attacking BJP workers during a victory procession following BJP's win in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections. The incident occurred on the night of 3rd December when the BJP workers passed through the house of Vakil Pathan during a procession to celebrate the victory of BJP’s candidate Mahendra Hardia. Pathan objected to the procession and argued with the BJP workers. He then abused and assaulted them. During the arguments between Pathan’s family and BJP workers, his son Sheru attacked the workers with a knife. Furthermore, he asked his wife, Shabnam, to throw boiling water on BJP workers from the roof of their house. A case was registered at Khajrana Police station against Pathan, his wife and two sons, Sheru and Shakeel, under Sections 294 (obscene act), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means) and 506 (intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Khajrana Police Station in-charge Umrao Singh called it a small matter and assured it was being investigated. According to an India Today report, despite the brutal attack against the BJP workers, the police seem to be downplaying the incident. “The dispute is not a big one. The matter is being investigated,” Khajrana police station in-charge Umrao Singh said.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In this case, the BJP workers were celebrating an electoral victory when the procession passed the house of the Muslim family. The Muslim family became irate and started abusing and threatening the workers. Further, the sons and the wife grievously attacked the workers with boiling water and knives. There is a strong suspicion that the BJP workers were attacked because of their association with a part perceived as being pro-Hindu. However, in the absence of clarity as to what the threats were and what the trigger of the violence was, it is difficult to determine whether the attack was a result of religious animosity or political ire. For that reason, this case is being added to the undecided database. If more information emerges, it would be added to the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
