In Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, an attempt was made to burn alive the family of Dev Prakash Patel who had converted to Hinduism from Islam about three months back. As per reports, on Saturday night, some men gathered outside Patel’s house and locked up the family inside. They then set the house on fire. Somehow Patel managed to break open the back door and escaped with his children.
As soon as police received information about the incident, the police and fire brigade reached the spot and put out the fire. Five, including the village head, have been booked.
Patel alleged that his house was torched because he had converted to Hinduism from Islam. Prior to embracing Hinduism, Patel was known by the name Mohammed Anwar. He even changed names of his children to Devnath, Deendayal and Durga Devi. In September 2020, as per the vedic rituals, he had reverted to Hinduism.
On Saturday, after having his meal, he was sleeping in his house along with his children. A few hours later, at around 2:30 AM, some men gathered outside his house and closed the main door of the house. After this, they set their house on fire and tried to burn the family alive.
When Patel woke up, he saw everything around him was on fire. He tried to escape but realised he was locked inside. He finally managed to escape with his children from the back door.
Upon being informed, Circle Office Ramkishor Singh, Station Incharge Pankaj Tripathi rushed to the spot with force. Hindu organisations too reached the spot and expressed anger and rage. Dev Prakash Patel accused Village head Tahir, Dwarika Singh, Rehan alias Sonu, Ali Ahmed, Imtiyaz as well as a few members of the local madarsa for trying to burn him alive.
A case has been registered against the accused. As informed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Media Advisor Shalabh Mani Tripathi, the village head Tahir is absconding while others are arrested. The police is raiding various locations to arrest the culprits.
