The cold, high walls of Nagpur Central Jail, meant to contain and control, became the stage for a brutal act of vigilantism this week. In a development that raises grave questions about prison security, Mohammed Saleem, an undertrial prisoner accused in a sensational ricin terror-plot case, was viciously assaulted by three fellow inmates.
The Attack in Nagpur Jail
The assault, according to Saleem’s legal counsel, was a calculated attack triggered by his refusal to chant a patriotic slogan. Sources familiar with the incident report that Saleem was cornered by the trio, who demanded he chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” When he allegedly did not comply, he was subjected to a severe beating, leaving him with injuries that required immediate medical attention.
Jail authorities have since filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the three inmates involved in the assault and have launched an internal investigation into the security lapse.
‘An Attempt to Flaunt Patriotism’
This incident is far more than a simple jailhouse brawl. It’s a chilling reflection of a hyper-charged national discourse seeping into secure state facilities. Saleem’s lawyer, Advocate Mehmood Pracha, labelled the assault a pre-meditated “attempt to flaunt patriotism” by the attackers, designed to target his client based on the serious allegations he faces.
Background: The Ricin Terror Plot Case
To understand the context, it’s crucial to know who Mohammed Saleem is. He is an accused, not a convicted terrorist. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this year in connection with a purported plot to create and disseminate the deadly poison ricin, allegedly under the direction of a foreign-based handler. The NIA has described him as a “highly radicalised” individual planning a mass-casualty event. While these are grave charges, the law must be allowed to take its course through a fair trial.
A Question of Due Process and Prison Safety
The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is the bedrock of India’s judicial system. Within the confines of a state-run prison, this principle should be sacrosanct. The state has a non-negotiable duty of care for every single inmate, regardless of the accusations levelled against them. This attack represents a stark failure of that duty.
The alleged motive behind the assault forces us to confront an uncomfortable question: When does patriotism curdle into dangerous vigilantism? The slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” is a cry of love for one’s country. But when it is used as a litmus test for loyalty and a pretext for violence, it is stripped of its honour and becomes a weapon of coercion.
This episode inside Nagpur jail is symptomatic of a broader trend where nationalism is increasingly defined by aggressive displays of loyalty. As the investigation proceeds, the focus will be on the assailants and the security lapses. However, this attack wasn’t just on an individual; it was an assault on the due process that every Indian citizen, accused or otherwise, is entitled to.
