Youth thrashed over Jai Shri Ram chant

Tension prevailed in Hyderabad's Charmahal area after a 17-year-old boy from the minority community was assaulted by more than 40 members of a ‘Bonalu’ procession for refusing to chant ‘Jai Sri Ram.’ At least 14 suspects were identified and taken into custody. The student was passing by Charmahal-Moosabowli area when a group of people applied ‘tilak’ on his forehead and ordered him to chant Jai Sri Ram. When the teen refused, he was abused and thrashed. Panic gripped the area after a mob gathered at the spot, forcing heavy police deployment.