A video allegedly showing three children being beaten went viral on Thursday night, leading members of the Muslim community to stage a protest outside a local police station in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district. The protesters demanded strict action against those responsible for the assault.
According to reports, a first information report (FIR) has been registered against an unidentified individual for slapping three children, including a six-year-old, in Ratlam district and forcing them to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
Outlook was not able to independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rakesh Khakha told The Indian Express that the video appears to be about six weeks old.
“Based on the footage, the police have registered a case against two individuals under charges of assault, abuse, issuing death threats, and hurting religious sentiments. A cyber team and the police are working together to identify and apprehend the culprits,” he said.
The three victims, aged seven, 11, and 13, are students of classes 2, 5, and 6. The accused, who has been taken into custody, is reportedly 17 years old. In the video, the accused can be seen admonishing the children about smoking before slapping them. At one point, one of the boys cries out in pain, saying ‘Allah'.
“What did you say, Allah?” the person says, as he slaps him again, and again. The beating continues until the children begin chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
