Man sets Ramcharitmanas on fire at collectorate in Sagar:Attempts self-immolation, alleges no action in 11-year-old case

A tense situation unfolded at the Collectorate premises in Sagar on Tuesday when a man allegedly set fire to a copy of the Ramcharitmanas and then attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on himself. People present at the spot quickly intervened, caught the man and snatched away the petrol-filled bottle before any major incident could occur. The incident took place during a public hearing programme at the Collectorate. Police later took the man into custody. The accused has been identified as Bahadur Chadhar (37), a resident of Ghoghri village in Jaisinagar area. According to Bahadur, he was upset because no action had been taken against a man named Munna, whom he accused of assaulting him in 2015. Angry over the delay in justice, he allegedly carried out the act in protest. Accused of feeding food mixed with urine Bahadur stated that in 2015, Munna forcibly took him to his house. There, he was beaten, and then fed food mixed with urine. He complained about this inhumane act multiple times at the police station and the SP’s office, but no hearing has taken place to date. Frustrated by this, he attempted suicide. Upon receiving the information, senior police and administration officials reached the spot. They listened to Bahadur. Subsequently, he was taken to the Gopalganj police station, where further action is being taken. Demand to register a case for insulting the religious text Eyewitnesses stated that Bahadur had brought firecrackers along with petrol. As soon as he placed the Ramcharitmanas on the ground and set it on fire, people started protesting against him. After being taken into custody by the police, people have demanded that a case be registered against Bahadur for insulting a religious text.