Amid nationwide lockdown, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for “unity and brotherhood” which does not discriminate between “race, religion, caste before striking.”
“COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together: PM @narendramodi,” PM Modi tweeted.
However, some people didn’t take PM Modi’s advice seriously. Recently, a resident of Kashimira locality in Thane, Mumbai has been detained by police for allegedly rejecting groceries from Muslim delivery personnel.
Gajanan Chaturvedi, a 51-year-old man was booked under IPC section 295(A) (malicious act outraging religious feelings) on April 21, hours after his Islamophobic remarks were recorded on video by the worker, 32-year-old Barkat Patel.
Patel is a Mira Road resident plying his trade with grocery service Grofers.
“The lady wanted to take the parcel but the man said no. When he said he would not take the parcel from Muslims, I did not say anything and started to record him on my phone. It was very hurtful,” Indian Express quoted Patel as saying.
Sanjay Hajare who works as a senior inspector, Kashimira police station said: “When the delivery boy reached the house, Mr Chaturvedi refused to accept the items as he had ascertained the delivery boy’s religion based on his appearance,” The Hindu quoted an officer at Kashimira police station as saying.
“We recorded the complainant’s statement and immediately registered an FIR. Mr. Chaturvedi was arrested the same day and produced in court. He has been remanded in judicial custody,” Hajare said.