New Delhi: A late-night altercation in Noida’s Gaur City 2, in which a woman challenged a man for questioning a Muslim couple, has been making the rounds on social media.
The confrontation, which took place late at night on 16 April, escalated into a heated argument captured on video. Police have since arrested the man accused of harassing the couple.
At the centre of the incident, which occurred at the White Orchid market, and the viral video is a woman named Soumya. Initially praised for defending the couple and confronting the man, she is now facing online harassment and threats after the video went viral.
“People are now sending me rape and death threats for defending a couple who were questioned by a random, drunken man only because of their religion,” Soumya said in the video.
Soumya told ThePrint that she is planning to file a complain about the threats she has been receiving from fake accounts.
“People are dragging my family in these threats now”, she said.
Police have identified the accused as Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Ram Shyam Enclave in Chipiyana Buzurg. Reports suggest that Mukesh allegedly objected to Imran and his wife standing near his car. He demanded that they show their cards before asking them about their relationship. This led to a heated argument between the two parties, and soon the crowd joined in.
Based on a complaint filed by Imran alleging harassment, a case was registered at the Bisrakh Police Station. The police have booked the accused under Sections 170, 126, and 135, and further legal action is underway.
“A dispute arose when the suspect objected to them standing near his car, and it turned into a heated argument. Based on the complaint submitted by the informant Imran, a case was registered at the police station, and Mukesh was arrested and sent to jail,” KG Sharma, Station House Officer (SHO) of Bisrakh Police Station, told ThePrint.
Soumya added that the accused was specifically asking the woman wearing a hijab to show her ID.
“He wanted to know whether the woman really a muslim or not and was questioning and threatening them”, she said .
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Praises to threats
In the viral nighttime video, a group of people can be seen questioning the man, asking, “Why are you asking about their identity? Is it because of their outfit?” To which the accused replies, “No.”
Soon after, Soumya intervenes.“Then you have no right to ask. Who gave you the right to question them? Which police or government authority?” she responded firmly.
As the argument continues, Soumya turns the camera and says, “He is drinking beer right here. You can see it. And he is standing here.”
Kumar then says, “Just let me be. I mean, the point is that she is wearing a burqa, isn’t she?”
Soumya then advises the couple to leave the area to avoid further trouble. Kumar, however, refuses to back down and says, “No, they can’t. I will see how they go.”
He continues to question the relationship between the couple and demands that they show their ID cards.
Soumya takes a firm stand, continues recording the video, and tells the couple not to feel intimidated or show any identification.
“These are the people because of whom our country is seeing so many lynchings,” Soumya criticises such behaviour, while pointing towards Mukesh.
While Mukesh Kumar has now been arrested, Soumya, who was earlier praised for taking a stand and speaking out, is now facing harassment herself.
She later posted another video on Saturday explaining what happened that night and shared how she has been receiving abusive messages on social media.
She said that people online have been calling her “anti-Hindu, converted” accusing her of doing it for social media attention, and sending threatening messages.
For the 23-year-old, the threats and harassment paint a larger picture of the current political atmosphere in society.
“I just wanted to help that couple. How can someone randomly ask for ID because of our clothes or because she is wearing a hijab? But now people are questioning my religion and identity. This is what I get for helping one citizen as another,” she told ThePrint.
She also shared several screenshots from her direct messages, showing rape threats and abusive language.
“I am getting rape threats. People are asking how much I charge. The video is proof of a man harassing a couple, but now people are questioning me,” she said.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)
People like Soumya are an abomination. They defend Muslims but are silent when Hindus are attacked and lynched and killed by Islamist mobs. Am sure she never felt sad or even said a word on social media on the death of innocent Tarun – murdered on Holi.
Now that people are unmasking her, she is playing the victim card.