Police officers, BJP workers beat Muslims to prevent them from casting vote

New Delhi: Voting for the by-elections in the Manglaur Assembly constituency of Uttarakhand started early on Wednesday in Haridwar. A disturbing incident was reported from booth 53-54 in Libberheri village, locals claim that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers disrupted the voting process and physically attacked muslims using sticks to prevent them from casting their votes.

According to witnesses, around 8:30 am, about 15 people from the Muslim and Dalit communities were going to vote and four BJP workers came with sticks and pistols across the road. They allegedly assaulted four Muslims with sticks and restricted them and others from casting votes. This incident occurred during ongoing voting for the Manglaur and Badrinath assembly constituencies.

उत्तराखंड : मंगलौर विधानसभा सीट के लिए आज उपचुनाव चल रहा है। लिब्बरहेड़ी गांव में वोट डालने जा रहे मुस्लिमों को लाठी–डंडे से पीटने का आरोप लगा है। कईयों को चोटें आई हैं। कांग्रेस प्रत्याशी काजी निजामुद्दीन इन घायलों को अस्पताल ले गए हैं। आरोप है कि इन्हें वोट से रोका जा रहा। pic.twitter.com/pw5QaHaQI9

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) July 10, 2024

Video surfaces on social media 

A shocking video has surfaced across social media where police officers misbehaved with muslims including women when they went to cast their votes during the bypolls. In the video, a police officer is abusing and pushing people. 

This is how the police officers behaved with the #Muslims including women when they went to cast their votes during the bypolls in #Uttarakhand's #Manglaur. The police officer can be seen abusing and pushing around people. pic.twitter.com/QXwXpwM1H0

— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 11, 2024

Another unverified video, also went viral where muslims being beaten up during the assembly by-election in Mangalore. The faces of the accused are covered with cloth. Many people have been injured in the assault.

उत्तराखंड : मंगलौर में कल विधानसभा उपचुनाव के दौरान मुस्लिमों को पीटने की Video सामने आई। आरोपियों के चेहरे कपड़े से ढके हुए हैं। मारपीट में कई लोग घायल हुए हैं। https://t.co/OXSX9rtkQq pic.twitter.com/lRgdausFLg

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) July 11, 2024

Democratic principle: Right to vote

This incident has raised concerns about voter assault and safety during elections. The affected voters were allegedly targeted based on their community affiliation which has sparked outrage amongst local people. The presence of law enforcement did not warn the attackers from committing acts of violence and obstruction.

Local authorities have been urged to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure the safety of voters participating in the electoral process. Incidents like these undermine the democratic principles of free and fair elections and the challenges faced in ensuring every citizen's right to vote without fear or coercion.