On 4th September, a group of 2,000 angry tribals launched an attack on the houses, shops, and establishments of Muslims in revenge for the alleged rape of a tribal woman by a Muslim auto driver identified as Sheikh Makhdhoom. Videos have emerged showing the tribals taking to the streets, attacking Muslim-owned shops and houses; vandalising a mosque.
🅰️ Auto driver Sheikh Makhdoom sexually assaults a tribal woman, batters her beyond recognition.
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) September 4, 2024
🅱️ In retaliation, a 2,000-strong crowd of mostly tribals in #Jainoor, Asifabad district, Telangana, runs rampage on M-owned shops and houses, vandalises mosques.
Most M handles here… pic.twitter.com/FphxJLntat
The official spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Tulla Veerender Goud, shared videos of the aftermath of the attack. He wrote on X, “Jainoor in Asifabad district is witnessing unrest after an auto driver allegedly raped a tribal woman. Under Congress rule, the brutal assault on a tribal woman and the violence that followed highlight the collapse of law and order. Congress has repeatedly failed to protect our tribals, and their incompetence is allowing such heinous crimes to happen.”
Jainoor in Asifabad district is witnessing unrest after an auto driver allegedly raped a tribal woman.
— Tulla Veerender Goud (@TVG_BJP) September 4, 2024
Under Congress rule, the brutal assault on a tribal woman and the violence that followed highlight the collapse of law and order.
Congress has repeatedly failed to protect… pic.twitter.com/8jiRbRsksA
BJP State Vice President of Andhra Pradesh, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, condemned the assault on the tribal woman. He accused the state police under the Congress government of dismissing the attack as an accident and wrote, “A horrific crime in Jainoor, Asifabad, Telangana: a tribal woman was brutally assaulted and sexually violated by Sheik Makdoom, an auto driver. Instead of seeking justice for the victim, the police, under the #CONgress Government, are disgracefully dismissing this brutal attack as an “accident.” This shameful attempt to cover up such a heinous crime is a stark reminder of how Congress fails to protect the most vulnerable in society!”
A horrific crime in Jainoor, Asifabad, Telangana: a tribal woman was brutally assaulted and sexually violated by Sheik Makdoom, an auto driver.
— Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (@SVishnuReddy) September 4, 2024
Instead of seeking justice for the victim, the police, under the #CONgress Government, are disgracefully dismissing this brutal attack… pic.twitter.com/Dg0p9Cd02Q
BJP’s social media in-charge for Telangana, Sumiran Komarraju also accused police of attempting to throw the matter under the rug by claiming it was an “accident”. He wrote, “A tribal woman in Jainoor, Asifabad, Telangana suffered a horrific sexual assault at the hands of Sheik Makdoom, an auto driver. She was not only violated but later also brutally assaulted. Shockingly, the police, under the #CONgress Government, are shamefully dismissing this heinous crime as an “accident,” trying to cover up the horror and deny justice to the victim!”
A tribal woman in Jainoor, Asifabad, Telangana suffered a horrific sexual assault at the hands of Sheik Makdoom, an auto driver. She was not only violated but later also brutally assaulted.
— Sumiran Komarraju (@SumiranKV) September 4, 2024
Shockingly, the police, under the #CONgress Government, are shamefully dismissing this… pic.twitter.com/9wolNRqviF
Journalist Rahul Shivshankar explained why tribals attacked Muslim establishments in a post on X. He wrote, “Tensions have flared in Jainoor town of Asifabad district in Telangana after a tribal woman was battered following an alleged attempt to sexually assault her. Protests erupted, leading to the destruction of Muslim-owned shops and vehicles and the vandalisation of a mosque. An auto driver, Sheikh Makhdoom, is the prime suspect. The incident dates back to August 31. There have been a series of attacks on tribal women over the last few months in Telangana. But you wouldn’t know it from the silence in the mainstream media. Neither of course has anyone senior from the Congress or its ecosystem spoken or visited.”
Tensions have flared in Jainoor town of Asifabad district in Telangana after a tribal woman was battered following an alleged attempt to sexually assault her. Protests erupted, leading to the destruction of Muslim-owned shops and vehicles and the vandalisation of a mosque.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) September 4, 2024
An… pic.twitter.com/qhZxdCcwTM
Journalist Abhijit Majumder pointed out that the tribals attacked Muslim-owned establishments in retaliation for the sexual assault and attempted murder of a Tribal woman but the majority of the Muslim handles on social media are “hiding” the information about the assault and playing the victim over the attack on Muslim establishments.
🅰️ Auto driver Sheikh Makhdoom sexually assaults a tribal woman, batters her beyond recognition.
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) September 4, 2024
🅱️ In retaliation, a 2,000-strong crowd of mostly tribals in #Jainoor, Asifabad district, Telangana, runs rampage on M-owned shops and houses, vandalises mosques.
Most M handles here… pic.twitter.com/FphxJLntat
Following the attack by tribals, Muslims were also seen on roads attempting to save their establishments.
Dear @RahulGandhi & @priyankagandhi horrible videos are coming from #Jainoor Village of #Asifabad district of #Telangana where properties of Minority community damaged in retaliation to irresponsible & shameful act of pic.twitter.com/Q7GVI04ERi
— Aamir Khan (@AamirKh06954334) September 5, 2024
Meanwhile, an internet ban is being enforced in the affected areas as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation. A flag march is taking place, accompanied by the announcement of prohibitory orders in the area. Pickets have been established to instil confidence among residents.
The incident
The incident occurred on 31st August when Makhdhoom allegedly attempted to rape a 45-year-old woman from the ST Gond community in Devuguda village. The attack unfolded in Jainoor town, located in the Asifabad district of Telangana.
A case was filed on 1st September based on the complaint lodged by the victim’s younger brother at Sirpur U Police Station under the SC/ST Act, and the accused was arrested on 3rd September. However, communal tension escalated on 4th September when around 5,000 people gathered in Jainoor as part of a bandh called by various Tribal organisations protesting against the heinous crime committed by Makhdhoom.
