Former Indian CricketerShikhar Dhawanhas reacted to Delhi'sUttam Nagar violencethat was triggered after a child threw a water balloon during Holi whose splashes split at a woman passing by the street, saying that humanity should never fall to this level. In a post on X, Dhawan wrote, "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Tarun Kumar in Uttam Nagar. It’s heartbreaking that something as small as a child throwing a water balloon during Holi could escalate into such violence. Humanity should never fall to this level. Prayers for his family and hope the culprits face the strictest punishment."
On March 5, a day after Holi celebrations, a 26-year-old man was killed in an alleged clash between two families in JJ Colony area in southwest Uttam Nagar, an official said.
The incident sparked tensions in the area with protests at the local police station seeking swift action against those involved, while a large crowd gathered outside the residence of the accused and allegedly tried to attack the house, prompting police intervention.
Preliminary information suggests the dispute was triggered by a stray splash from a balloon filled with coloured water, police said. The deceased, identified as Tarun, succumbed to injuries during treatment at a hospital.
According to the police, the incident was reported on Wednesday when a fight broke out between members of two families -- belonging to different communities -- in the locality. Several people from both sides sustained injuries in the clash.
Family members of the deceased said an 11-year-old girl who was playing Holi at the terrace of the house threw a water balloon at her relatives below. The balloon fell on the road and burst, splashing some coloured water onto a woman from the other family, which belongs to a different community.
According to Tarun's grandfather Maan Singh, who also sustained injuries in the clash, the woman allegedly began hurling abuses and picked a fight over the splash of colour. She gathered several members of her family and community, and they allegedly attacked the family who were playing Holi, Singh said.
He claimed that although the matter appeared to have subsided, members of the other family later gathered and allegedly assaulted Tarun when he was returning home after celebrating Holi.
"They thrashed Tarun brutally. When he was lying on the road, a big stone was thrown on his chest," Singh alleged.
Tarun's uncle Ramesh alleged that Tarun had no idea about the clash and was returning home when he was attacked.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
