PUNE: The family of Hakimuddin Shaikh, a retired Indian Army soldier and Kargil war veteran, has alleged that they were harassed and forced to prove their Indian citizenship during a late-night operation by police and a group of unidentified men in Chandan Nagar, eastern Pune.
According to the family, the incident took place late Saturday night when 30 to 40 men, some allegedly accompanied by police, stormed their home demanding citizenship documents. The male members of the family were reportedly taken to the police station around midnight and told they must establish their nationality or risk being labeled “Bangladeshi or Rohingya.”
“I fought for this country in Kargil,” said Hakimuddin Shaikh, 58, who served in the Army’s 269 Engineer Regiment from 1984 to 2000. “My entire family belongs to this nation. Why are we being asked to prove it?”
The Shaikh family, originally from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been living in Pune since 1960. While Hakimuddin returned to UP in 2013, his brothers, nephews, and their families remain in Pune. The household includes two more Army veterans — Shaikh Naeemuddin and Shaikh Mohammad Salim, who served in the 1965 and 1971 wars respectively.
“What does being Indian mean if we have to prove it every time someone knocks at the door?” asked Irshad Shaikh, Hakimuddin’s brother.
Family members said that despite showing Aadhaar cards and other ID documents, the group refused to accept them as valid proof, allegedly mocking and threatening them.
“They were acting like goons,” said Naushad Shaikh, Hakimuddin’s nephew. “They kicked our doors, yelled at the women, and demanded we get up and show papers.”
Another nephew, Shamshad Shaikh, claimed the police summoned them again on Sunday, only to keep them waiting for hours without explanation.
“We were told the inspector wouldn’t be coming, and they still haven’t returned our documents.”
Police Response
Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde defended the operation, saying it was based on information about suspected illegal immigrants.
“Our team asked for documents. Once it was clear they were Indian, we let them go. The police team was not accompanied by any third party. We have video footage,” Munde said.
However, the family insists civilians were involved and accused police of failing to control the crowd or verify credentials respectfully.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the matter is under investigation.
“If negligence is found, action will follow. Preliminary findings suggest the police did not forcibly enter the house.”
Larger Concerns Raised
The incident has sparked outrage and concern about citizenship verification practices and the alleged profiling of Indian Muslims. It has also drawn criticism for the treatment of veterans’ families, raising questions about the conduct of law enforcement and the absence of due process.
“Is this how soldiers’ families are treated in India?” asked Irshad Shaikh. “After serving in multiple wars for this country, must we still prove we belong here?”
