‘They Targeted Me As I Support Modi’: Mob Robs Small Shopkeeper Shyam, Then Sets Shop Ablaze

A small shopkeeper identified as Shyam who lost his livelihood due to a rioting mob in Delhi’s Bhajanpur has alleged that he was targeted as he is a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a video report by BBC News Hindi, an inconsolable Shyam can be seen sobbing after his shop was first robbed by the rioters and then set it ablaze.

Amid his tears, Shyam said that seeing the rioters he fled along with his child.

“Main Modi Modi karta hoon isliye mujhe target pe le liya (they targeted me because I am a Modi supporter)“, says Shyam.

Shaym added that he is a humble shopkeeper who rents the place to earn his livelihood. In the same breath he hailed his landlord who has excused him from paying rent for almost a year.

His wife claimed that the rioters were breaking shutters of every shop in the lane and they decided to flee via the back door.

The items stolen included all the essential groceries, shop’s items on sale and six cylinders. The rioters also made away with Rs 20,000 in cash. His wife has alleged that people in their vicinity were responsible for the robbery and arson.