Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Monday condoled the death of 26-year-old Tarun Kumar, who was killed during classes between two families from different communities in JJ Colony in West Delhi’s Uttam Nagar during Holi celebrations last week.
The issue broke out when an 11-year-old girl threw water-filled balloons at people while celebrating Holi. One of the balloons hit a Muslim woman who objected to the method of celebration. What started as a scuffle soon developed into a violent clash, with both sides assaulting each other, HT reported earlier.
At least four people were injured, three of them from the girl’s Hindu family. Tarun Kumar succumbed to his injuries the morning after Holi, with his family claiming that neighbors “chased” him and attacked him with bats, sticks and stones.
Cricketer Dhawan spoke to X and said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Tarun Kumar in Uttam Nagar. It is heartbreaking that something as small as a child throwing a water balloon during Holi can escalate into such violence.”
Dhawan said humanity should never stoop to this level. He added: “Our prayers are for his family and we hope that the perpetrators receive the maximum punishment.”
Protests after the death of Tarun Kumar
Protests broke out in Uttam Nagar after the death of Tarun Kumar, with agitators setting vehicles on fire at the site.
Read also | Seven more people were arrested and a minor was arrested in connection with the Holi clash in Uttam Nagar
The deceased’s family members and neighbors also protested outside Uttam Nagar police station, along with members of a Hindu political group. Some protesters allegedly tried to attack the Muslim family’s home, prompting police intervention.
What Tarun Kumar’s family said
Ramesh, Tarun Kumar’s uncle, said the 11-year-old girl was throwing balloons at family members, but one of the balloons exploded on the ground, scattering the woman’s burqa.
“I apologised, and even apologized to the 11-year-old. What could we do? They beat us first. I suffered serious injuries on my head, chest and hand. The doctors put eight stitches, and I’m still in pain. Tarun came half an hour later, and before he could even stop his bike, they jumped on him and attacked him,” Ramesh said.
CM meets Kumar family
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Tarun Kumar’s family and assured them that instructions have been issued to ensure strict legal action against those responsible.
“The grief of Tarun’s family is extremely deep and unbearable. Ensuring justice for them is our top priority. Clear instructions have been issued to ensure the harshest and quickest legal action against all those involved in this heinous crime,” the CM wrote in a post on X.
Read also | Neighbors for 5 decades, families who clashed on Holi have a history of fights: Cops investigate Uttam Nagar murder in Delhi
“Such inhumane and violent incidents will not be tolerated in Delhi at any cost and action will be taken against their perpetrators, which sends a clear message to the society that there is no place for crime in Delhi,” she added.
Arrests in Uttam Nagar Holi clash
So far, 14 people, including a minor, have been arrested in connection with the killing of Tarun Kumar during the Holi clashes in Uttam Nagar, news agency PTI reported.
Deputy Commissioner Kushal Pal Singh said that police teams are continuing their efforts to identify and arrest other individuals involved in the clash. He added that further investigations are underway in this regard.
