Uttar Pradesh Police have detained Gulbuddin, a mentally challenged Muslim man, accusing him of involvement in the violence that erupted during a contentious survey of the Shahi Jamia Masjid in Sambhal city in November.   A video shared by journalist Shahid Tantry on social media highlights Gulbuddin’s mental condition. The footage shows him singing and dancing while chained to a ladder at home, a measure his family says was necessary to prevent self-harm. Gulbuddin's brother, Faizan, stated, "He went out to eat, unaware of the chaos. When police told him to leave, he began singing a qawwali." 

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the arrest, calling it emblematic of the BJP government’s policies targeting minorities. “Who is truly mentally ill here? The innocent man chained at home or the elected BJP governments inflicting suffering on minorities for political gain?” she posted on X.  The incident occurred during a contentious survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which escalated tensions. Five Muslim youth were killed in firing by the police.  Critics, including Lok Sabha member Zia ur Rahman Barq, have accused authorities of mishandling the situation, citing the failure to convene a peace committee before the survey.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)