A 40-year-old tailor in Udaipur, Kanhaiyalal Teli, was on Tuesday beheaded for posting on social media a comment in support of Nupur Sharma, the BJP spokesperson who was suspended by the party after worldwide outcry over her post against Prophet Muhammad.
The two accused, who claimed responsibility for the murder and filmed it, were later arrested from the Rajsamand area. The two – who identified themselves as Mohammad Riyaz Akhtari and Mohammad – also allegedly threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the video.
Following the murder, there were incidents of stone-pelting and arson and the situation is tense in the city. Curfew has been imposed in seven police circles – Dhanmandi (where the murder took place), Ghantaghar, Hathipol, Ambamata, Surajpol, Bhupalpura and Savina – and will be effective until further orders. The Internet has also been suspended for 24 hours after the flare-up. Heavy force has also been deployed in at least half a dozen areas, additional 600 personnel have also been called from Kherwara, and markets are shut in five different places. Meanwhile, a team from the National Investigation Agency was headed to Udaipur at the time of going to press.
Calling the situation “painful” and “shameful”, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said an atmosphere of “animosity” has been created. Later, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also appealed for calm.
Shopkeepers from the area said Teli had posted a comment 10 days ago, and had been receiving threats ever since. They said he had complained to the police, and had kept his shop shut for the past six days.
Teli was at his shop in Dhanmandi, when two motorcycle-borne men came at 2.30 pm on Tuesday on the pretext of giving measurements for clothes but attacked him with a knife, which they later exhibited on the video. The police from three different stations rushed to the spot on information.
Udaipur Superintendent of Police Manoj Choudhary assured that action will be taken against the culprits. “All records related to the deceased are also being investigated,” he said.
