Hijab Row: Student Petitioner's Brother Attacked By The Right-Wing

Police have registered a rioting case against three persons

Bengaluru: Amidst the Hijab Controversy, Hazra Shifa, a student from Karnataka's Udupi and one of the petitioners in the hijab ban case, has alleged that her brother was attacked by a mob of right-wing supporters, linking the violence to her decision to continue to wear a hijab. 

According to Hazra's statement, her brother, Saif, was attacked at Bismillah hotel in Malpe, a port in Udupi district, at around 9 pm Monday.

Soon after the brutal attack, the petitioner has tweeted at midnight, tagging the Udupi police: "My brother was brutally attacked by a mob. Just because I continue to stand for My #Hijab which is MY RIGHT. Our property was ruined as well.

Why?? Can't I demand my right? Who will be their next victim? I demand action to be taken against the Sangh Parivar goons."

Taking notes from the incident, A police officer at the Malpe Police Station told NDTV, "There were close to around 20-30 persons. And most of them were known to the victim (Saif) and they are his friends. The accused used to often visit Bismillah hotel owned by Saif's father."

"The trigger for the rioting was that Saif's father reacting to the hijab row controversy and those wearing saffron shawls. This was a sting done by a local Kannada channel.

His statements and the choice of words triggered the group, who then reached the hotel and pelted stones at Saif. Saif was slapped and beaten by an accused in the gang. The group of people were in an inebriated state," the officer added.

As of now, the police have registered a rioting case against three persons.