On the evening of 28th June, in a distressing incident at the Kali Mata Temple in Janata Colony, Faridabad, a young temple priest named Ravi Bhagat was violently attacked. Identified assailants, Iqbal, Mehtab, and several others, assaulted him, severely slashing his throat with a knife. This brutal act occurred just outside the temple premises, situated within the jurisdiction of the Mujesar Police Station.

During the attack, the assailants were reportedly chanting disturbing religious slogans, notably “Sar Tan Se Juda”. After inflicting the grievous wounds, they quickly fled from the scene. Ravi Bhagat, who is responsible for managing the temple and conducting daily rituals, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

The incident began when Ravi Bhagat was resting on a cot outside the temple premises. An altercation broke out between him and the group, which quickly escalated to physical violence. The attackers restrained him, proceeded to slash at his neck, all the while chanting the “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans.

A relative of Bhagat revealed that before the horrifying incident, Ravi Bhagat had a typical day which included providing water at a local stall and conducting the usual temple rituals. Later, he went to sleep outside the temple premises, while his 5-year-old daughter slept close by. It was during this time that he was attacked with knives and other sharp objects.

The chaos of the argument woke his daughter, whose screams caught the attention of nearby residents. Their quick arrival at the scene caused the attackers to flee. Notably, the assailants included Iqbal and Mehtab, as well as individuals identified by the surnames Shashi and Wadhwa.

Following the attack, Ravi Bhagat was found in a critical condition, having been stabbed multiple times. He had already lost a significant amount of blood by the time he was transported to the hospital for emergency treatment. In response to the attack, Bittu Bajrangi, a prominent Hindu leader, has called for a Hindu Panchayat to be held at the site of the incident in Faridabad.

The local police force issued a statement regarding the vicious assault on Ravi Bhagat, clarifying that the exact motives, particularly any religious motivations, have not yet been confirmed. They emphasized that all aspects of the case are being thoroughly investigated. Currently, the suspects remain at large, with ongoing police operations and raids being conducted to locate and apprehend them. To ensure community safety and prevent further unrest, additional police units have been deployed throughout the region.

Rajesh Kumar, the officer in charge at Saran police station, provided further insights. He confirmed the occurrence of the attack but clarified that there was no immediate evidence of religious fervor associated with the incident. He also updated on Bhagat’s condition, noting that he has significantly improved and is now stable. Kumar reiterated that the motive appears to be rooted in personal enmity, but the exact reasons will only be fully understood once the suspects are in custody. He assured that the police are actively raiding locations suspected to be connected to the attackers and expressed confidence that the arrests would be made soon.

Angry family members blocked the road

In the wake of the brutal attack on Ravi Bhagat, family members, along with residents of Janta Colony, members of Bajrang Dal, and Dev Sena workers, collectively expressed their outrage by blocking Pyali Chowk at 11 am. Despite repeated attempts by the police to negotiate and clear the blockade, the protesters remained steadfast, demanding swift action against the perpetrators. It was only after the police agreed to the demands, promising that the accused would be apprehended by the evening and efforts to arrest other involved parties would be expedited, that the blockade was finally lifted.

The protest significantly disrupted the traffic system within the NIT area, leading to widespread congestion and inconvenience. The demonstrators emphasized their connection to state's Industry Minister Pt. Moolchand Sharma, highlighting Bhagat's support for him, which added a layer of political significance to the incident and the subsequent response. This connection possibly influenced the urgency of the police's commitments to resolving the case and ensuring justice for the victim.