4 held in MP after ‘Hindu Rashtra’ banner allegedly burned during Muharram

Four individuals have been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Police in connection with communal tensions that erupted in Ratlam district after a banner reading “Hindu Rashtra” was allegedly set on fire during a Muharram procession on Sunday, according to PTI.

The incident reportedly occurred in Sailana, around 20 km from the district headquarters.

Ratlam Assistant Superintendent of Police Rakesh Khakha informed The Times of India that the four – identified as Ajju Shah, Bablu Shah, Shehzad, and Bhayyu – were arrested for promoting enmity between communities and disturbing public harmony. They were subsequently sent to jail after being produced before the court, Scroll.in reported.

Following the circulation of a video showing the incident on social media, several Hindutva groups organised a protest, calling for those responsible to be charged under the National Security Act, which permits extended detention without trial.

Protesters assembled at a key junction in Sailana and recited the Sunderkand, a chapter from the Ramayana, PTI reported. Most shops and markets in the area remained shut on Monday in response to the unrest.