WATCH: India shopkeeper attacked in Bengaluru, alleges he was ‘asked to stop bhajan for azaan’

In Bengaluru, a shopkeeper was attacked by a group of men as he was playing a bhajan dedicated to Lord Hanuman during the Islamic call to prayer, known as azaan. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred in the city's Siddanna Layout area on Sunday (Mar 17).

"I was playing Hanuman bhajan. Four to five people came and said it was time forazaanand threatened to beat me if I played music. They beat me and then threatened me that they would stab me with a knife," the shopkeeper told reporters.

A video circulating on social media showsthe sequence of events, wherein the men approach the shop individually. Subsequently, a dispute ensues, leading to one of the men grabbing the shopkeeper's collar, eliciting a retaliatory response from the latter.

Altercation caught on CCTV

Another individual joinedin assaulting the shopkeeper, prompting him to leave the premises. The altercation escalatedas the men tookturns attacking the shopkeeper, including throwing him to the ground and kicking him.

Once the assault ceased, the perpetrators scattered, leaving the shopkeeper injured.

Authorities filed an FIR against the suspects identified as Suleman, Shahnawaz, Rohith, Dyanish, and Taruna.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Central Bengaluru confirmed that three of the accused individuals have been arrested. Among them, two were of Muslim faith, while one was Hindu.

"We are inquiring if Hanuman Chalisa was played. There's no mention of Hanuman Chalisa in the complaint. The group that assaulted the shopkeeper included both Hindus and Muslims," the DCP Central said.

The other three accused are absconding, according to the police.

(With inputs from agencies)