Kerala man lynched in Karnataka over 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan

Mangaluru: A Muslim Keralite was lynched by a mob of over 25 people for allegedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during a local cricket match in Karnataka’s Mangaluru city. Police have denied any such claims and arrested 15 individuals so far.

Deceased has been identified as Ashraf from Pulpalli village in Sultan Bathery Taluk of Wayanad district in Kerala, police said in a statement.

On April 27, witnesses say he was reportedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during a local cricket match. This angered a certain section of the crowd, and an argument between them soon turned violent.

Over 25 people surrounded the Muslim young man and allegedly assaulted him with sticks, resulting in multiple injuries that led to internal bleeding and shock. He was declared dead at the hospital.

Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara confirmed the incident. “An incident of mob lynching has been reported involving an unidentified individual. I was informed that there are reports he was shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during a local cricket match, which led some people to beat him. He didn’t die on the spot but passed away later. I’m yet to receive the full report. Around 10 to 12 people have been arrested and further investigation is underway,” the minister told news agency PTI.

A case was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 103(2), a newly introduced section for hate crimes and mob lynching. If convicted, the accused could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

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Police have arrested 15 people so far, including autorickshaw drivers, local shopkeepers, and daily wage workers. The mob leader is believed to be a 26-year-old man named Sachin T, who works as an autorickshaw driver, police said.

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