A 22-year-old Muslim man was beaten to death by a group of Hindu men in India’s capital city Delhi while he was recording a video on Diwali night.
The victim, identified as Salman, was assaulted near the Gagan Cinema flyover in Delhi’s Nand Nagri area on Thursday night. He succumbed to his injuries two days later at GTB Hospital, triggering outrage and fear among local Muslims who say the killing reflects a growing sense of insecurity.
According to police, the incident began as a dispute between two groups but quickly escalated into violence. Salman, who worked as a scrap dealer, had gone out with friends to record a video when the altercation broke out. His family alleges he was brutally beaten by a group of local men and that police failed to act swiftly.
“My brother went out to make a short video with his friends. Later, we got a call saying he was lying on the road, covered in blood,” Salman’s brother, Anan, told local reporters. “When we reached there, he was unconscious. Those boys beat him badly. His friends are giving conflicting statements, which makes us think they know more than they are saying.”
Local residents say the attack has shaken the area’s Muslim community. Some believe Salman may have been targeted because of his faith, although police have not confirmed any communal motive. Several residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such assaults often go unpunished.
“We are tired of being treated like outsiders in our own country,” said Rashid Ali, a local social worker. “A boy was beaten to death on Diwali, and yet there is silence from those who preach peace and unity.”
Community members gathered outside GTB Hospital demanding justice and an impartial investigation. Police initially filed a case under a lesser section of the Indian Penal Code but upgraded it to culpable homicide following Salman’s death.
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“Multiple teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. CCTV footage from nearby shops is being examined. The post-mortem report will determine the exact cause of death,” a senior police officer said.
Advocate Sameer Khan, a Delhi-based activist, said the case was part of a wider pattern of violence against Muslims. “This is not just a fight between two groups. It reflects the growing intolerance and lack of safety for Muslims in Delhi,” he said.
Residents have also criticised police handling of the case and the broader issue of Hindu mob violence targeting Muslims across India. “A young man lost his life just for making a reel. This shows how unsafe our youth have become,” said Asma Begum, a teacher from Sunder Nagri.
For Salman’s family, Diwali night has become a lasting tragedy. “He only wanted to enjoy Diwali like others,” his mother said, clutching his photograph.
Rights groups have repeatedly documented a sharp rise in mob attacks and hate crimes against Muslims across India in recent years, often sparked by minor disputes or social media posts. Activists say such incidents have deepened fear and alienation within the country’s Muslim minority.
