Onika Maheshwari / New Delhi
This is the story of 26-year-old transport businessman Mukesh Kumar, who was brutally assaulted for standing upto goons who were harrassing women in a Delhi area and the lone man in a crowd of onlookers - an unidentified Muslim - who saved him from nearly being killed while the people around watched this roadside fight silently.
The incident happened on February 3 at around 5:00 AM. Mukesh Kumar, who was returning from his cousin's wedding in Sangam Vihar, stopped at a tea stall in the Mehrauli area. In the early hours the streets were relatively quiet, but then he noticed three women standing nearby, being subjected to lewd and offensive remarks and obscene gestures by four young men.
Passersby were around, shops were opening, but most simply watched and did not intervene.
as per the video of the brawl which has surfaced on social media recently, Mukesh couldn't bear the scene. He confronted the young men and asked them to stop harassing the women.
The goons resented being challenged. In an instant, all four of them attacked Mukesh. One of them picked up a stone and struck him on the head, while another attacked him with a stick.
Mukesh was knocked to the ground and brutally beaten with kicks and punches. Within moments, Mukesh was seriously injured and lost consciousness.
Many people were present, but most of them held back due to fear, confusion, or maybe even indifference. None came forward. It was at this moment that a man—whom Mukesh still respectfully refers to as "Mulla Ji"—stepped forward from the crowd. From his skull cap and flowing beard it was clear that he was a Muslim
Without regard for his own safety, he stood in front of the attackers and prevented them from further beating Mukesh. He shielded him with his body, stopped the attackers, and somehow managed to help Mukesh to a safe place.
When Mukesh regained consciousness and learned what had happened, he became emotional. He said, "If that man hadn't helped me at that time, I probably wouldn't be alive today. He saved my life. Humanity is still alive."
A video of the entire incident went viral on social media, clearly showing the attack, the crowd's reaction, and the role of the courageous man who intervened. After the video surfaced, the matter gained widespread attention. The police were informed, and upon arriving at the scene, they took Mukesh to a local hospital and then, due to his serious condition, to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.
After treatment, his condition improved, and he was later discharged from the hospital.
Based on Mukesh's statement, the complaints of the victimised women, and the evidence collected from the scene, the police registered an FIR. All four accused have been arrested. According to police officials, the case is being investigated with utmost seriousness. It is also noteworthy that the women who were being harassed showed courage by calling the police and summoning help in time, which allowed Mukesh to be taken to the hospital quickly.
Following the incident, a lively discussion began among the people of the area. Residents and shopkeepers wholeheartedly praised the Muslim man who stepped forward and saved a life. One shopkeeper said, "In today's world, when people are caught up in their own problems and are afraid to help others, this man showed what it truly means to be human."
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