Three full days later, Haryana CM Khattar condemns mob lynching of Muslim youth

Unlike his Rajasthan counterpart who dismissed a death in mob violence as a demise, Haryana Chief Minister Mohan Lal Khattar on Monday condemned the mob lynching of Junaid, a 16-year-old Muslim youth, near Faridabad on Thursday. Junaid was on board a Mathura-bound local train and was brutally killed by a mob. According to The Indian Express, he said efforts were on to nab the other accused in the case. Khattar had invited criticism from various quarters for not condemning the shocking incident or expressing condolences. He was quoted as saying that, “I condemn the incident and appeal to people to maintain peace.”

The victim’s family was given a cheque of Rs 5 lakh by the District Red Cross on Sunday while Waqf Board chairman announced another Rs 5 lakh and a job to one of Junaid’s siblings.

Junaid was stabbed to death while his brothers, Hashim and Sakir, were injured by the mob which also allegedly hurled slurs against them on-board the Delhi-Mathura passenger train between Ballabgarh and Mathura stations on Thursday night.

The incident occurred when Junaid was returning home to Ballabgarh by train, along with three others, after Eid shopping at Sadar Bazar in Delhi. An argument ensued over seats, and in the scuffle that followed, Junaid and his two brothers were stabbed, with the former succumbing to his injuries.
Khattar came under fire as he tweeted about various things after Junaid’s lynching ranging from congratulating badminton player Srikant Kidambi on winning the Australian Open Super Series title, to wishing his Uttarakhand counterpart Trivendra Singh Rawat on completing 100 days in power and also retweeting the PM’s Sunday Mann ki Baat but steered clear of mentioning anything about the mob killing the youth.