Meet Rahmat Pasha from Hyderabad who turned hero for victims during Bondi Beach Attack
Hyderabad/Sydney: Mohammed Rahmat Pasha, a 37-year-old man from Hyderabad, emerged as an unlikely first responder during the recent shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia, helping injured victims even as the attacker continued firing.
Pasha, who hails from Vikarabad district in Telangana and previously lived in Masab Tank, Hyderabad, was walking along the beachfront a little after 7 pm when he heard sounds he initially mistook for firecrackers. Moments later, panic erupted as people began screaming and collapsing to the ground, making it clear that a shooting was underway.
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Recalling the incident in an interview to Vartha Bharati, Pasha said he saw the gunman advancing and firing. Despite fearing for his own life, he stopped to help an elderly woman who had been shot in the legs and was crying out for assistance. He sat beside her, comforted her, held her hand and reassured her until emergency services arrived.
“The shooter was not very far from me and I could see him clearly,” Pasha said. “I was scared, but I could not walk away when I saw someone badly injured and asking for help.”
Pasha assisted police and healthcare workers by helping move injured people onto stretchers and into ambulances. He said the scenes were chaotic and deeply disturbing, with people running in all directions to escape the gunfire. One of the victims, he recalled, succumbed to injuries while being assisted.
The father of three, who moved to Australia in 2019 to train as a chef, said the psychological impact of the incident has been severe. He has not returned to work since the attack and is struggling with sleep, managing only a few hours each night.
Screengrab from a video from during the attack wherein Pasha can be seen helping authorities
Speaking about the communal abuse and anti-immigrant rhetoric that surfaced online after the incident, Pasha rejected attempts to link the attack to religion. He said his faith teaches that saving one innocent life is equal to saving all of humanity and stressed that terrorism has no religion.
Pasha said he has received support and messages of solidarity from people around him in Australia, while his family in Hyderabad hopes he will return home soon.
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Ayurveda student dies by suicide
Chitradurga (Karnataka) (PTI): An Ayurvedic student allegedly died by suicide in Holalkere town after being distressed over defamatory rumours linking her to a lecturer, police sources said on Thursday.
According to police, the student was reportedly upset over false allegations spread by some individuals about her having a relationship with a faculty member.
"The victim was deeply affected by the defamation and is suspected to have taken the extreme step due to mental distress caused by such rumours," police sources said.
Police said the student left behind a death note before hanging herself in her house on Wednesday. She has explained the reasons behind her decision.
"The note contains references to certain individuals, including a faculty member, and mentions alleged harassment by some students. It also indicates that action should be taken against those responsible," sources added.
Based on the contents of the death note, a case has been registered at the Holalkere police station.
"We are examining the allegations mentioned in the note, including the source of the defamatory campaign and whether the victim was subjected to mental harassment. The role of all those named is being verified," police sources said.
Family members told police that the student had not shared any such issues earlier and that the incident came as a shock.
In his statement, the victim's brother said, "If something like this has happened, there must be some serious issue. But she never shared anything about it. We don't understand what exactly led to this. She used to tell us everything, and never appeared disturbed. This sudden decision has surprised us."
He further stated that a complaint has been lodged and all relevant materials, including the death note, have been submitted to the police.
Police said further investigation is underway.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
