Burnt to Death for Being a Hindu – Why No Space for Savan Dharma Rathod in Media?

The recent death of a 17-year-old Hindu boy, who was allegedly set ablaze by three persons from Muslim community suspecting him to be a thief in Kasba Peth area on Wednesday afternoon, has snowballed into a controversy, following a video received by the Banjara community and the police probing if at all, there is a possible communal angle.

The deceased boy, identified as Savan Dharma Rathod, belongs to the Banjara community. An offence in this case was lodged at the Faraskhana police station. Police said Savan himself is complainant in the first information report (FIR), which mentions that he was set on fire by three persons who suspected that he was stealing batteries of vehicles on the street, between 3 pm and 4 pm on Wednesday. Police arrested the three persons — Ibrahim Mehboob Shaikh (35) of Kasba Peth, Imran Tamboli (28) and his brother Zuber Tamboli (26), both residents of Fatimanagar.

The one-minute and 19 seconds video, available with The Indian Express, shows Savan saying, “I was working with my family in Pandhapur. I had a dispute with them and came to Pune looking for work…While I was taking a leak, three persons objected and asked me my name. I said Savan Rathod. They asked me if I am Hindu? I said, yes. Then they poured something over me from a can and set me on fire.” The person, recording the video, asks Savan if he feels that he was burnt because he is a Hindu. To this, Savan is seen moving his head in affirmation in the video.

Click Here To Read Detailed Report in Indian Express

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