Placating minority community? Cops 'assault minors' following stone throwing in Surat

By Mujahid Nafees*

A troubling incident has emerged from Surat city, Gujarat, involving the alleged brutal assault of individuals by police officers. The official Twitter account of the Surat City Police reported that they detained those who reportedly disrupted the peace by throwing stones at an idol in the Variavi Bazar area.

Assuming the accuracy of reports regarding the stone-pelting event on the night of September 7th, which allegedly involved Muslim minors, the subsequent violent actions taken by police cannot be justified, particularly as they seem aimed at placating the sentiments of the city's majority population.

After the stone-throwing incident, the police swiftly detained the minors, leading to a gathering of a large mob demanding severe punishment for the accused. This response escalated communal tensions, with the mob reportedly launching stones at police, causing widespread outrage and damage to multiple vehicles.

A video shared by the Surat City Police displays the accused being led away from their homes without apparent issues, yet later footage reveals them struggling to walk after their time in police custody, strongly suggesting they suffered severe physical abuse.

These actions constitute a clear violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and jeopardize the integrity of a civil and democratic society. No police manual or the Indian Penal Code endorses the indiscriminate use of force against citizens.

The footage indicates that the officers acted with impunity, establishing a concerning precedent that threatens the rule of law. This incident not only represents a grave injustice for the victims but also poses a risk to all citizens who value democratic principles.

The legal framework provides adequate mechanisms for punishing the guilty, including the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), trials, and possible convictions or acquittals. However, the behavior displayed by the police in this case reflects an outdated, authoritarian mindset, with officers appearing to take the law into their own hands, rather than serving the public.

No resistance was shown during the arrests, and the use of force appears solely intended to demean individuals from a minority community

The decision of some officers to act as both judge and executioner fosters a culture of violence within law enforcement. Both international law, which India has committed to uphold, and national regulations strictly prohibit torture.

The Supreme Court's landmark ruling in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal mandates stringent adherence to procedures designed to prevent custodial torture, and the actions of the implicated officers, along with the inaction of their superiors, blatantly disregard this judgment.

It is vital that the officers responsible for the alleged abuse be identified and held accountable. They are bound by the Code of Criminal Procedure and possess no authority to inflict harm or intimidate individuals. The video evidence clearly indicates no resistance was shown during the arrests, and the use of force appears solely intended to demean individuals from a minority community.

Despite ample evidence of police brutality circulating in the public domain, relevant authorities have yet to act, which only underscores the entrenched authoritarian mindset within the police force and a dismissal of the rule of law.

In light of these events, there is a need for appropriate departmental, disciplinary, punitive, and criminal actions against the responsible police officials who have violated the rights of victims and defied the Supreme Court's ruling in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal.

---

*Convener, Minority Coordination Committee, Gujarat. This article is based on the author's appeal to the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog