Mob Attack During Iftar Injures Several Muslim Youths in Pune’s Oskarwadi Village
Police register case against 100–150 unidentified persons after a group observing Ramadan iftar was allegedly assaulted near a lake in Purandar taluka.
A group of Muslim men was allegedly attacked by a large mob while preparing to break their Ramadan fast in Oskarwadi village of Purandar taluka in Pune district, Maharashtra, on Friday evening (March 13, 2026).
According to police, around 14 men from Kondhwa in Pune city had travelled to the village to observe iftar, the evening meal that marks the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. The group arrived at a lakeside spot around 6:30 pm on two-wheelers and cars, carrying fruits and other food items.
One of the victims, 36-year-old Feroz Sayyad, a cloth stall owner from Kondhwa, later filed a complaint at Saswad Police Station. In his statement, Sayyad alleged that a mob of nearly 100 to 150 people arrived at the location on motorcycles while the group was preparing for iftar.
The attackers reportedly questioned the men about their presence at the spot and asked whether they owned the location. According to the complaint, members of the mob also objected to their traditional attire and allegedly demanded that they remove their skull caps.
Soon after, the situation escalated into violence. Several people in the mob were reportedly carrying wooden sticks, sharp weapons, and possibly iron rods. The group allegedly assaulted the men, leaving multiple people injured.
Reports on the number of injured vary. Some accounts suggest that five to six people suffered serious injuries, while others indicate that up to 11 individuals were hurt during the attack.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) strongly condemned the incident, claiming that the assault was carried out by Hindutva activists amid what the party described as growing anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia. The party has demanded strict action against those responsible.
Police have registered a case against 100–150 unidentified individuals under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions related to unlawful assembly and assault, as well as sections of the Indian Arms Act.
Investigators have detained more than a dozen local residents for questioning and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved in the attack.
Authorities also noted that the location where the incident took place is a public area near a pond and not a designated religious site. Some local residents reportedly said that such gatherings had not been held there in previous years.
The incident has raised concerns about communal harmony and prompted calls from various groups for swift police action and justice for the victims.
