Muslim book vendor assaulted by Durga Vahini women in Ujjain

In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a group of women belonging to a Durga Vahni a right-wing organization assaulted a Muslim book vendor. The incident, captured on video, quickly spread across social media where it depicts the women slapping and a few accompanying youths kicking the vendor.

A Muslim man named Waqar Saleem, who set up a book stall at Ujjain Book fair in Madhya Pradesh, was beaten up by a mob of women from Hindutva outfits. The man asked for the number when these women were asking about certain books to be delivered. This was made as an excuse. pic.twitter.com/yD3apSqKwV

— Waquar Hasan (@WaqarHasan1231) September 4, 2023

Based on the available information, the book vendor in question is identified as Waqar Salim, a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab. He had established a stall showcasing his publications at a book fair taking place in Ujjain. During the fair, a group of women approached Waqar's stall and requested for Hindi version of the Quran, which was not available at the moment on stall. In response, Waqar asked them to write their contact and address for home delivery. However, the situation escalated when the women accused Waqar of molestation and physically assaulted him. Subsequently, the police have registered a case against Waqar for molestation.

In an additional video, Waqar stated that the main headquarters of his publication is located in Gurdaspur. He arrived in Ujjain after coming from Gwalior. In the video, a woman affiliated with the Durga Vahini organization makes allegations, claiming that Waqar has collected the contact details of Hindu women with potentially malicious intentions.

According to Waqar, the books requested by the women were unavailable at the time, leading him to provide them with numbers for home delivery. Waqar claims that these women had strategically planned their visit to his stall.

Ujjain | MP

MP Police booked Virak Saleem, a resident of Punjab's Gurdaspur under "molestation charges" for asking a woman to write address/ number in a book fair.

He urged to jot down her address in the register when she asked to deliver the book at home which was sold out.… pic.twitter.com/onBHBCgh3i

— काश/if Kakvi (@KashifKakvi) September 4, 2023

Waqar, a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, stated that his office is situated in Gwalior. "At the time of the incident, I was alone in the stall. A group of women approached me with a request for the Hindi version of the Quran, unfortunately, it was not available at the stall. I suggested writing their address and contact number in the book so that I could arrange for it to be delivered to their home."

Police have registered an FIR against Waqar under section 154 of CrPC on the complaint of the women.

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