‘Rational’ Muslim Blogger Hacked To Death In Coimbatore; Islamic Activist Surrenders 

In another shocking incident of Islamic fundamentalism, a 31-year-old blogger was hacked to death in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 16 March. H Farooq, a blogger and member of the Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), was a vocal critic of religious practices.

According to a report, he had left his house past 11 pm on Thursday night after receiving a phone call, when four people accosted him on motorcycles. Locals later found his body lying on the road with multiple stab wounds. Deputy Commissioner of Police of Coimbatore S Saravanan said that Farooq was the administrator of a WhatsApp group that regularly debunked religious claims and promoted rationalist thoughts.

Thirty-year-old realtor Ansath, also known to be an Islamic activist, surrendered himself to the police, though his role in the crime is not yet known. Police have also stated that Farooq had earlier been arrested under the Goondas Act in connection with the death of Hindu Munnani leader Sasikumar, who was murdered in Coimbatore in September 2016.