Gujarat: Video of cops in plain clothes flogging Muslim men in public view goes viral, probe ordered; TMC approaches NHRC

Ahmedabad: Videos of Gujarat police personnel in plain clothes publicly flogging four Muslim men, tied to a pole, have gone viral on social media platforms.

The four men were accused of hurling stones at Garba dance event participants at Undhela village in Kheda district. The incident took place last week.

Taking cognizance of the viral video clips, Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) Ashish Bhatia has ordered a probe into the incident, reported PTI.

Sources in the state home department on Friday said Kapadvanj Deputy Superintendent of Police V N Solanki has been asked to conduct the inquiry into the matter and submit a report.

Officials said that some videos of the flogging incident have gone viral on social media and the inquiry was ordered after the authorities took cognizance of those clips, reported PTI.

“Late last night, I was given the responsibility of conducting the inquiry into the incident. I will submit my report as soon as possible,” Solanki told PTI.

However, Solanki refused to give any further details about the incident.

TMC on Friday approached National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in connection with the public flogging of Muslim men by Gujarat Police personnel.

Party spokesperson Saket Gokhale said it is “a matter of shame” that the NHRC hasn’t taken suo moto cognizance of the matter.

“It is a matter of shame to see that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) hasn't suo moto taken up the matter of Gujarat Police publicly flogging Muslim youth. But they shouldn't have the excuse of "no one complained". We All India Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with the NHRC today,” Gokhale said in a tweet on Friday and also shared a copy of the complaint.

In the complaint, Gokhale said “there have been several viral videos on social media showing a group of Muslim men being tied to a pole by the police in Undhela village of Matar Taluka in Kheda district, Gujarat.

“The police claimed that this was “punishment” to the Muslim men who were accused of stone pelting. The police basically decided to act as jury and executioner and unleashed inhuman brutality on a group of young men purely because they were Muslim,” read the complaint filed by Gokhale on behalf of the party.

“This is a clear case of police brutality and atrocities against religious minorities ahead of the Gujarat Assembly Elections and may also be politically motivated,” the complaint stated.