2 weeks ago
Tourists Allegedly Assaulted Over Clothing at Pune’s Sinhagad Fort
Several tourists said they were attacked at Sinhagad Fort near Pune.
The alleged attackers reportedly objected to people wearing shorts or sleeveless clothes.
One complaint said a man was slapped and his wife was dragged.
Another report said an eight-year-old girl was among the people whose clothing was questioned.
Witnesses described a confrontation that lasted nearly two hours.
Police opened criminal cases against eight or nine named people.
The reports give different names for the group the accused allegedly belonged to.
Police said further investigation and a search for the accused were underway.
Tourists, including a woman and reportedly an eight-year-old girl, were allegedly assaulted at Sinhagad Fort near Pune over shorts and sleeveless clothing.
Reports say the incidents involved visitors from multiple groups and occurred on a Sunday between about 2 pm and 5 pm, while another report dates them to August 16.
Police registered cases against eight or nine named people, with charges including voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting and criminal intimidation.
A complainant alleged that men slapped him, a woman dragged his wife and the group shouted, “Don’t you understand Hindu culture?”
The reports identify the alleged group differently, as the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army or the Fort Conservation Society; police said they were searching for the accused.
- Who
- Tourists were allegedly attacked by people identified in reports as members of the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army or the Fort Conservation Society.
- What
- The tourists allegedly faced assault and intimidation after being confronted over shorts and sleeveless clothing.
- Where
- Sinhagad Fort near Pune, India.
- When
- The incidents were reported as occurring on a Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm; another report identifies the date as August 16.
- Why
- According to the reports, the alleged attackers objected to the tourists' clothing and invoked Hindu cultural or fort-conservation concerns.
Alleged Cultural or Conservation Objection
Tourists’ Complaints and Police Action
Clothing and conduct at the fort
Alleged Cultural or Conservation Objection
The alleged attackers reportedly objected to shorts and sleeveless clothing, invoking Hindu culture or claiming an association with fort conservation.
Tourists’ Complaints and Police Action
The tourists and witnesses described the confrontation as moral policing, intimidation and physical assault; police registered criminal cases based on complaints.
Identity of the alleged group
Alleged Cultural or Conservation Objection
The reports attribute the alleged actions to different groups: the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army in one account and the Fort Conservation Society in another.
Tourists’ Complaints and Police Action
No direct response from the accused was provided in the reports, while police said they were searching for the named individuals.
Key facts
- Location
- Sinhagad Fort near Pune
- People affected
- Tourists from several groups, including a woman and reportedly an eight-year-old girl
- Alleged clothing dispute
- The visitors were reportedly confronted over wearing shorts and sleeveless clothes
- Accused
- One report names eight accused people, including three women; another says nine individuals were named
- Reported charges
- Voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting and criminal intimidation
- Reported duration
- One account says the incidents occurred between 2 pm and 5 pm; another describes intimidation lasting nearly two hours
- Earlier controversy
- A poster saying the fort belonged to Hindus and barring Muslims was reportedly removed by the forest department in July
Quotes
Pune Police Superintendent Sandeep Singh Gill
Police officer who reported the incident
“"An argument ensued, and a person in the family was assaulted," the police officer said.”
NDTV
“We have launched a search to apprehend the eight accused.”
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Tourist complainant
Senior manager who filed the complaint
“Don’t you understand Hindu culture?”
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Sources
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