Hindu mob lynches Muslim man in Indian capital for ‘stealing’ banana

Eyewitnesses say Ishaq, a mentally challenged person, had taken a banana from the makeshift Hindu temple 

NEW DELHI, India – A 22-year-old Muslim man was brutally lynched in the Indian capital of New Delhi after allegedly stealing a banana from a makeshift Hindu temple.

The makeshift Hindu temple on the sidewalk, called pandal, was built to mark the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Eyewitnesses told the media that Ishaq, a mentally challenged person, had taken a banana from the pandal, which was among the offerings that devotees had made as a gift to the deity.

An angry Hindu mob tied Ishaq to an iron bar with a leather belt and beat him severely.

After the attack, he was left tied to the pole.

Ishaq’s sister Uzma stated that he was lynched just for taking a banana and that he later succumbed to his injuries at home.

A video of the attack went viral on social media and led to public calls for action.

Police took up a murder case and arrested six people.

Neighbors described Ishaq as mentally disabled and a helpful person who never hurt anyone.

The incident highlights a disturbing increase in assaults and lynchings in India, particularly against Muslims since right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.

Mohammad Wajid, Ishaq’s father, demands justice for his son and expresses satisfaction with police action but demands that perpetrators suffer a similar fate.

Many are concerned about the growing trend of mob violence and the need for a reevaluation of religious practices in certain segments of Hindu society.

Despite the tragedy, the family has received no visits from secular politicians.

Some residents believe they are neglected because of their Muslim identity and socioeconomic status.