The family of Kargil war veteran Hakimuddin Shaikh alleges that around 80 Hindutva activists stormed their Chandannagar home in Pune at midnight on Saturday, demanding proof of Indian citizenship and accusing them of being Bangladeshi. Irshad Shaikh, 48, said the group, accompanied by two plainclothes policemen who remained silent, dismissed their Aadhaar cards as fake and abused women and children.

Shaikh emphasized their deep ties to India, noting his brother’s service in the 1999 Kargil war and uncles who fought in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, one earning valor awards. Despite presenting documents proving residency for over 60 years, the group chanted “Jai Shree Ram” and pressured the family to visit the police station. There, a woman inspector allegedly made them wait hours and warned they’d be labeled Bangladeshi if they didn’t return the next day.

Irshad claimed police pressured them to stay silent and not file a complaint, asserting their documents were genuine. Social activist Rahul Dambale, assisting the family, demanded an FIR against the mob, alleging they aimed to terrorize the minority family. Hakimuddin, now in Uttar Pradesh, condemned the incident and vowed to seek police accountability.

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Deputy Commissioner Somay Munde denied claims of a large group invading the home, stating police only conducted a routine check for illegal Bangladeshi nationals, finding no discrepancies. He noted the inquiry was recorded. Dambale plans to escalate the matter to Pune’s Police Commissioner, demanding action against the perpetrators.

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