It was a herculean task for autorickshaw driver Waseem and his family to convince the Sampigehalli police in Bengaluru to include in the complaint chanting of the “Jai Shree Ram” slogan as the reason for his assault. The police allegedly refused to mention this detail citing that the issue would turn into a communal problem.

It was only after a city-based activist approached the Assistant Commissioner of Police and told them to escalate the issue with the State Human rights commission that the FIR was finally registered by 11.30 p.m.

Forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’

Waseem, a 35-year-old autorickshaw driver, was allegedly confronted by a group of drunk men and assaulted in Hegde Nagar after he refused to chant “Jai Shri Ram.” Waseem and his friend Zameer Pasha were on their way to meet a friend and had stopped the autorickshaw at a vacant site to relieve themselves, when the group who were drinking nearby approached them. While Zameer managed to flee, the accused beat up Waseem and forced him to chant “Jai Shri Ram” when he cried out “Allah” in pain,” said the complaint.

The victim was helped by one of the persons in the group, who escaped before approaching the police. The police allegedly advised Waseem not to create communal issue and disturb the peace of the area. When he showed his injuries, a policeman allegedly said that it would heal in a day or two .

However, Waseem was adamant and with the help of a local friend, approached Zia Nomani, a techie-turned-social activist.

Reason included in FIR

The police agreed to take up the complaint and sent Waseem for medical examination, but the latter insisted that the reason for the assault should be mentioned in the FIR and refused to sign the papers. The matter was brought to the notice of senior police officers, who also decided not to mention the actual reason, the complainant said.

“How can I allow this to be taken off from the complaint? The trauma of getting the complaint registered is more than the assault,” Mr. Waseem told The Hindu.

The police finally registered an FIR mentioning the reason and charging the unknown accused under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of BNS for further investigation.