Kushinagar: A Muslim man, Azharuddin, was tied up and violently beaten by a mob in Kubera Bhual Patti village, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, following a dispute over parking, according to local reports.

The incident occurred under the Vishnupura police station area. The clash began when a resident, Ritesh, asked Azharuddin to move his pickup vehicle. The argument escalated, and Azharuddin allegedly stabbed Ritesh during the altercation. In response, relatives and friends of Ritesh reportedly surrounded Azharuddin, tied him with ropes, and assaulted him brutally. A video of the attack has gone viral, sparking fear and outrage among local residents.

Witnesses described the attack as “inhuman,” saying Azharuddin was treated “like an animal.” Even Ritesh’s mother’s pleas to stop the beating were reportedly ignored. Residents and community members have demanded strict action against the attackers.

Police officials noted that tensions escalated due to the communal identities of those involved. Rajeev Singh, a police officer, stated, “We are investigating the matter and action will soon be taken against the culprits.”

The incident has drawn condemnation from Muslim groups and activists. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind demanded immediate arrests, emphasizing that “equality before the law must be upheld, or it encourages mob violence.”

Azharuddin’s family remains in shock following the assault, and investigations are ongoing.

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Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.

In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.

Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.

In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.

The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.

Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.

It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".

"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.

It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.

The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.

On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.

Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.