Key Takeaways
- Abdul Salam was fatally attacked in Darbhanga, Bihar, after objecting to a derogatory remark targeting the Muslim community.
- Manish, son of neighbour Vimla Devi, allegedly struck Salam from behind with a rod near his spinal cord.
- Salam’s daughter has called for the death penalty for his killer and life imprisonment for other family members involved.
An elderly Muslim man lost his life in Bihar’s Darbhanga district after stepping in to challenge an anti-Muslim comment made during a neighbourhood dispute.
What began as a verbal disagreement between locals turned fatal when Abdul Salam, who had simply been passing by, chose to speak up — and paid for it with his life.
What Happened
The incident began when a local dispute broke out involving neighbour Vimla Devi. During the altercation, Devi directed a derogatory remark at the Muslim community, accusing all Muslims of consuming sugar while claiming to fast during Ramzan.
Abdul Salam, who was walking past at the time, stopped to object. “Take your anger out on the person who wronged you and not on the entire community,” he told those present. He then added: “If you are going to say such remarks against all Muslims, I will oppose it.”
His words provoked an immediate reaction. Devi’s son, Roshan, grabbed Salam by the collar and confronted him for intervening. Moments later, Devi’s elder son, Manish, approached Salam from behind and struck him with a rod near his spinal cord. Salam suffered critical head injuries and collapsed on the spot.
Rushed to Hospital, Pronounced Dead
Salam was taken to Kiratpur Community Health Center, where doctors pronounced him dead. His daughter, Rehmati Khatoon, who spoke to reporters after the incident, described the brutality with visible anguish — saying that even after her father had fallen to the ground, and even after he had died, the attackers continued to kick his body.
Daughter Demands Death Penalty
Khatoon has been unwavering in her demand for maximum punishment. “I want justice to the extent that Manish Ram should receive the death penalty,” she told reporters. She also called for life imprisonment for other family members involved, including their wives.
Her grief is compounded by the circumstances — her father was not a party to the original dispute. He intervened purely to defend the dignity of his community against a sweeping and offensive generalisation.
Accused Family’s Version Contradicted by Neighbours
In the immediate aftermath, the accused family put forward a version of events claiming their home had been targeted by members of the Muslim community. When police questioned local residents, that account fell apart entirely. Villagers described a situation markedly different from what the accused had portrayed.
Neighbours noted that despite the provocation and the gravity of what had occurred, local Muslims chose restraint over retaliation. Authorities later acknowledged the community’s composure, crediting their patience with preventing the situation from escalating into a wider disturbance.
Abdul Salam was not armed. He carried no weapon and held no grudge. He was an old man who heard something unjust being said about his community and chose to respond with words. That choice cost him his life.
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