Coimbatore: Rationalist murdered for his atheism - Farooq administered a WhatsApp group with rationalistic views who regularly debunk religion

By Dilip -
A 30-year old realtor surrendered to a Coimbatore judicial magistrate on Friday March 17 evening in connection with the murder of a member of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam. Podanur Sriram Nagar resident M Arshad claimed responsibility for the murder of the man known for voicing rationalist opinions, reported The Hindu. H Farook, 31, was found dead near the Coimbatore Corporation’s sewage farm on Thursday night.

 Tamil Nadu youth killed for being an atheist, father says he too will become one

The police told The Times of India that a gang of four people had hacked Farook to death for his atheist views. “Farook’s anti-Muslim sentiments had angered people. This may be a possible motive for murder,” Coimbatore Deputy Commissioner of Police S Saravanan told the daily. The incident took place around 11 pm on Thursday when Farook had received a phone call and left his home on his two-wheeler. The gang then waylaid him and attempted to stab him, reported The New Indian Express. When Farook tried to escape, the men caught him and stabbed him in his stomach. Farook had deep cuts on his neck also.

A scrap iron merchant from Bilal Estate in south Ukkadam, Farook was known for the rationalist opinions that he voiced on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. The police are now going through his social media posts. City Police Commissioner A Amalraj has formed a special team including Inspectors Rajesh, Jothi, Sri Ramachandran and Deivendran to invesigate the murder.

Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam leader Kolathur TS Mani, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam leader Ku Ramakrishnan and a few others paid homage to Farook. He is survived by his wife and two children.
https://scroll.in/latest/832146/coimbatore-man-hacked-to-death-for-atheist-ideology-one-person-surrenders

Also see:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/coimbatore-vocal-atheist-hacked-to-death-realtor-surrenders/1/906973.html
http://tickticknews.com/coimbatore-man-murdered-for-atheism-bengaluru-blast-convict-suspected/
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180317/outspoken-rationalist-hacked-to-death-in-kovai.html 

Tamil Nadu youth killed for being an atheist, father says he too will become one
Speaking to The Indian Express, 54-year-old R Hameed said, “If the police version is true, that he was murdered by a radical Muslim group, then they killed my son using wrong interpretations of the Quran. The Quran insists on and allows the right of dissent since the time of the Prophet. If they killed him for being an atheist, I have decided to join his organisation and do what he did.” Fighting back tears, Hameed said, “For my son, I was always his best friend. Even when he refused to attend the wedding of a close relative to avoid taking part in the religious rituals, I did not insist.”
Muslim organisation announces Rs 10 lakh reward for beheading Tarek Fatah // Self-Appointed Defenders of Islam must be careful (1994)
Bangladeshi bloggers: What we want the world to know


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