‘Rohingya’ Slurs Hurled at Army Veteran’s Kin: Muslim Family Accuses Hindutva Mob in Pune
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Chandan Nagar, 28th July 2025: A serious controversy has erupted in Pune’s Chandan Nagar area following allegations that a group of individuals identifying themselves as Hindutva supporters barged into the home of a Muslim family with retired Army veterans, attempting to terrorize women and children late on the night of 26th July.
The National Conference for Minorities has demanded that police take suo motu cognizance of the matter and register a criminal case, but senior police officials have denied the allegations, citing a separate investigation related to illegal immigration.
According to the complaint, the targeted family includes Shamshad Ali Shaikh, whose grandfather and uncle both served in the Indian Army and received multiple medals for their service. The family, which has lived in Chandan Nagar for over 55 years, claimed that a group stormed their home at midnight, hurled derogatory communal slurs like “Rohingya” and “Lande,” and tried to force them to vacate their house. Elderly women, senior citizens, and children as young as 12 and 13 were reportedly subjected to trauma during the incident.
The complainant, Shamshad Shaikh, submitted a written request to Senior Police Inspector Seema Dhakane of the Chandan Nagar Police Station, stating that the family was being tortured solely because of their Muslim identity. He urged the police to take appropriate legal action and register a criminal case against the accused.
However, the police have presented a different narrative. Speaking to Punekar News, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Somay Munde denied the mob attack claims. “This is not the case. We had received a tip-off about some foreign nationals residing there without valid Indian citizenship documents. Based on that, police personnel were sent to the location, and individuals were detained for verification. Following interrogation, they were released. To my knowledge, there was no incident involving Hindutva supporters or a mob,” said Munde, adding that nationality verification is still ongoing.
What has intensified the issue is the claim by minority rights activists that police officers were present during the alleged intimidation but took no action and silently watched the events unfold. They also alleged that members of the family were held at the police station until 3:30 am under pressure from the alleged attackers.
Efforts to reach Senior Police Inspector Seema Dhakane for comment remained unsuccessful.
National Conference for Minorities President Rahul Dambale confirmed that a written memorandum is being submitted to Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. “Incidents of this nature are increasingly occurring in urban areas. We’ve already spoken with DCP Munde and followed it up with a formal letter,” said Dambale.
He further announced that a symbolic protest (dharna) will be held on Thursday, July 31, outside the DCP office in Yerwada to protest what he described as “systemic inaction and rising communal harassment.”
