Khandavali shuns Eid after lynching

Sakir Khan, the brother of Junaid who was stabbed to death in Thursday’s mob attack on a running train in the National Capital Region (NCR), is recovering from grievous injuries at AIIMS’ Trauma Centre in Delhi. 

Sakir also had 12 stab wounds, one of which ruptured his left kidney. On Monday, he had no attendants as his family members had gone to their village Khandavali in Haryana’s Ballabgarh for Eid prayers. 

They prayed only for the departed and Sakir’s recovery. In fact, villagers in Khandavali on Monday shunned all celebrations and tied black bands on their arms to protest the lynching, demanding justice for Junaid and other victims. 

“We are not celebrating Eid in our village and no household has cooked any food. We prayed only for the departed and Sakir’s recovery,” said Sakir’s cousin Sahir. 

A group of men had attacked Junaid, 16, Sakir, 22, and another brother, Hashim,19, besides their friend Moin, 19, after allegedly calling them anti-nationals and beef-eaters. 

Moin had escaped serious injuries, while Hashim has been discharged. The four had boarded the train from Delhi Sadar station for Khandavali after shopping for Eid celebrations. 

Sakir is reluctant to talk. He shakes his head with tears in his eyes. Sahir confirms he hasn't been talking much as he is yet to recover from his brother’s lynching, only four days before Eid. 

“After a month-long Ramadan fasting, we were all looking forward to celebrating Eid. Our cousins had come over from other areas, but the lynching has left everyone shocked. As Muslims, we are now scared for our future here,” he said.

On Thursday, Junaid, Hashim and Moin boarded the train, happy after having bought new clothes. Soon, about 12-15 men boarded the train at Okhla in Delhi and started harassing them. The group threw their skull caps around and called them beef eaters, Sahir said. 

Sakir learnt about the scuffle and rushed to Ballabgarh railway station where the three were to get down. Once inside the train, he was also attacked. The four tried to get off the train but they could not because it was very crowded.

As the train moved towards Mathura, one of the attackers started stabbing the four, while other passengers looked on. The four were soon thrown off the train. Junaid succumbed to his injuries. One of the suspects has been arrested.