Three elderly Muslim men were repeatedly slapped and chased by an unknown passerby in Uttar Pradesh after reportedly being targeted while asking for directions to a local neighborhood to collect zakat.
Uttar Pradesh, India — February 15, 2026
A distressing incident recently occurred in Uttar Pradesh, where three elderly men were subjected to an unprovoked physical assault by a passerby on a public road.
Video footage and local reports indicate that a man stopped his two-wheeler, confronted the elderly pedestrians, and began repeatedly slapping and chasing them. According to the reports, the victims were specifically targeted for being Muslim.
Emerging details suggest that the three men had been asking for directions to a nearby Muslim neighborhood to collect zakat (charitable alms) when the assailant approached and initiated the attack. As footage of the unprovoked assault circulates, authorities are being urged to identify the attacker and take immediate legal action.
The assault has renewed intense domestic and international debate regarding the treatment of minority communities in the country. Human rights organizations and political opponents have consistently called out what they describe as a growing wave of Islamophobia in India. Critics allege that this environment of religious intolerance has worsened and become increasingly normalized under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Furthermore, political commentators and activists have drawn controversial parallels between India's domestic policies and the tactics of the Israeli government, arguing that the Indian administration is "importing" hardline security and ideological frameworks. The deepening ideological and diplomatic partnership between the two nations was heavily emphasized during Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Israel. During his historic address, Modi highlighted the profound bond between the nations, notably referring to Israel as the "Father Land" and India as the "Mother Land".
For critics, the alignment with Israel and the Prime Minister's remarks reflect the shifting of India's secular republic toward a more exclusionary, nationalist framework. Meanwhile, supporters of the administration view the relationship as a strategic and necessary alliance for national security and development. As the fallout from the Uttar Pradesh incident continues, it serves as another flashpoint in the broader conversation about religious freedom and national identity in modern India.