Celebrations turned to sorrow when the news of a Muslim man murdered by his fellow neighbours came to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar. Identified as Babar Ali, the man was returning from his shop on 20th March when he chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' and was attacked by a few of his neighbours. As per reports, Babar tried to run and climbed a rooftop but the attackers caught hold of him where he was thrashed and later pushed down the roof. He was admitted to Ramkola CHC from where for further treatment he was referred to the district hospital and then to Lucknow where he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased was on the radar ever since he supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and distributed sweets after the party's victory in the state assembly elections. Family members of Babur also told that local people from their community had warned Babar of dire consequences if he did not stop promoting the BJP. Earlier, he had also sought protection from Ramkola police but his appeal got no ears.

The family refused to perform his last rites and requested the arrest of the accused miscreants. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a probe to look into the incident. The CM also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.  Danish Ansari, a minister of the Yogi government told that the government will soon announce a relief package for the family and assured that the crime accused will be caught soon.

A day after the assault, Babar’s wife lodged a police complaint against three men Arif, Azimullah and Tahid alongside a woman named Salma. So far two of the accused have been caught by the police and sent to custody while a further probe is underway.