A 23-year-old man from Bihar was allegedly assaulted by a group of individuals in Gurugram's Sector 56 area on Tuesday night, reportedly over a language dispute. The victim, identified as Ravi Kumar, was attacked when he was speaking in Bhojpuri on the phone, which allegedly angered the assailants.
Incident Details
According to the police, Ravi Kumar, a resident of Bihar's Samastipur district, works as a private employee in Gurugram. He was returning home from work when he stopped near a park in Sector 56 to take a call. While speaking in Bhojpuri, a group of four to five men approached him and objected to his language, leading to a heated argument. The situation escalated, and the men allegedly beat him with sticks and iron rods, causing injuries to his head and hands.
Victim's Statement
In his complaint to the police, Ravi Kumar stated that the attackers used abusive language and made derogatory remarks about people from Bihar. He said, "They told me not to speak in Bhojpuri and said that people from Bihar should speak Hindi or Haryanvi. When I refused, they attacked me." He also mentioned that the assailants threatened him with dire consequences if he reported the matter to the police.
Police Response
The Gurugram police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including assault and criminal intimidation. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Balbir Singh said that a team has been formed to identify and arrest the accused. "We have taken the matter seriously. CCTV footage from the area is being examined, and we are hopeful of nabbing the culprits soon," he added.
Outrage and Reactions
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning the attack and calling for strict action against the perpetrators. Several political leaders and activists have also condemned the incident, terming it as an attack on linguistic diversity. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed concern over the incident and directed the state's resident commissioner in Delhi to take up the matter with Haryana authorities.
Broader Context
This is not the first time such an incident has been reported in the National Capital Region. In recent years, there have been multiple cases of people from Bihar and other eastern states facing discrimination and harassment over language and cultural differences. Activists say that such incidents highlight the need for greater awareness and sensitivity towards linguistic diversity.
The victim is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Gurugram, and his condition is stated to be stable. The police have assured that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure justice for Ravi Kumar and to prevent such incidents in the future.
