Muslim man’s skullcap pulled off in Uttar Pradesh police action

The incident occurred during a procession in Uttar Pradesh marking the birth anniversary of Rani Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi, a figure from India’s 17th-century resistance history. Local police in Etah district intervened after a video surfaced showing an elderly Muslim man allegedly being subjected to indecent behaviour and having his skullcap forcibly removed. The footage quickly spread online, sparking immediate concern and drawing a swift response from authorities.

The specific location of the disturbance was the Marhara police station area, where the procession was organized by the All India Lodhi Kalyan Mahasabha to commemorate the historical figure. The viral footage purportedly shows some youths pulling the cap off the elderly man’s head, leaving him visibly distressed, while a police officer can also be seen taking the man away from the spot. Skull caps hold immense spiritual value as a Sunnah, a highly recommended tradition based on the practices of the Prophet Muhammad, despite wearing the cap not being wajib (obligatory) under Islamic law.

Police Action and Legal Proceedings

Police took suo motu cognizance of the video and detained six youths, initiating preventive proceedings against them under Sections 170, 126, and 135 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections cover disobedience of public orders, wrongful restraint, and assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine. A video later circulated on social media appeared to show the detained youths at the Marhara police station with their hands folded, apparently offering an apology.

However, Circle Officer Sadar Sankalp Deep Kushwaha stated he was unaware of any formal apologies at the station itself. “I have no information about any accused apologising at the police station,” Kushwaha said. The police examined the footage to verify the claims before acting, ensuring that the preventive measures were based on the evidence of the indecent behaviour captured on camera.

Community Response and Resolution

The event triggered resentment among the Muslim community. A meeting held on September 3 at Chaudhary Matinuzzama Public School brought together approximately 60 to 70 prominent members from both the Lodhi and Muslim communities. The gathering included Chaman Prakash, vice-president of the Lodhi Kalyan Mahasabha’s fair committee, and other office-bearers.

During the session, members of the Lodhi community expressed regret and apologised to the elderly man. They subsequently honoured him by presenting him with a cap and a garland. Samajwadi Party district president Parvez Zuberi, who attended the meeting, said the decision was reached with mutual consent to maintain communal harmony.

What this looks like on the ground is a rare moment of de-escalation where community leaders stepped in to resolve a flashpoint before it could escalate into broader unrest. The physical removal of the skullcap—clothing with deep religious significance for many Muslims—became a flashpoint, turning a local procession into a symbol of potential division. The subsequent meeting allowed for a direct confrontation between community representatives, bypassing the immediate friction of the viral video.

Leadership Involvement

Zuberi noted that Chaman Prakash played a key role in the resolution. The six youths against whom police had taken action did not attend the meeting. Zuberi also alleged that the elderly man was subjected to indecent behaviour and suggested that police personnel at the scene behaved indecently as well.

Several Lodhi community legislators and leaders were reported to have attended the event, including former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh’s son Rajveer Singh alias Raju Bhaiya, Marhara MLA Virendra Lodhi, and Farrukhabad MP Mukesh Rajput. The participants also discussed the role of loud DJs during processions, with some suggesting that loud music and songs could cause people to become agitated and lead to such incidents. They discussed avoiding DJs during future programmes organised on roads.