'Bajrang Dal worker used to harass me to convert to Hinduism'

Sister of accused in Shivamogga assault case makes claim

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The sister of the man accused of attacking a Bajrang Dal worker in Shivamogga has alleged that she was under constant harassment by the rightwing outfit worker and was asked to remove her burqa.

The Superintendent of Police (SP)of Shivamogga, G Mithun Kumar, has confirmed the same. While addressing a press conference in Sagara, Saba Sheikh alleged that Sunil, the Bajrang Dal worker, asked her to convert to Hinduism.

“After the Hijab row, he consistently told me to remove my hijab and burqa when I attended my classes. He would follow me everywhere and would ask me to convert to Hinduism,” Sheikh alleged.

She has said that she never confronted Sunil and used to return to her home directly after college, but would tell her brother who studies in Bengaluru about the daily happenings.

“My brother is not the kind to attack anybody. He might have tried to scare Sunil in order to make him stay away from me. His house is also on the route to my house,” she said. On Monday, a man wielding a machete tried to attack Sunil. After investigations, the police identified the accused to be Saba’s brother, Sameer.

While Sunil escaped unhurt, he filed a complaint with the police who registered a case. Three people including Sameer were arrested. G Mithun Kumar, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Shivamogga has reiterated that Saba was being subjected to harassment.

“Preliminary investigations found that Sunil would harass Sameer’s sister. Earlier, a few times, Sameer had also warned Sunil to stay away from her. We also found out that Sunil had dialled Sameer in order to find out her phone number,” Kumar has said.

He added that the investigations so far have indicated that the altercation took place due to personal reasons and not because Sunil is a Hindu activist.On the other hand, Sunil has denied being acquainted with Saba or Sameer.

“I saw him for the first time when I was assaulted and came to know that he lived close to my house. I have been working for Bajrang Dal for the last five years and also take active participation in their events,” he said.