Protest against ‘I Love Muhammad’ graffiti turns violent in Maharashtra; 30 detained
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Maharashtra: An agitation against an “I Love Muhammad” graffiti painted on a road in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, turned violent on Monday, with incidents of stone pelting and road blockades. At least 30 people were detained in connection with the unrest, Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge told PTI.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that authorities will investigate whether there is a conspiracy aimed at disturbing social peace in the state and polarising communities through such boards. “Everyone is free to practice their own religion, but not to indulge in polarisation,” he added.
One person has been arrested in connection with the graffiti. However, protesters blocked the arterial Ahilyanagar–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar road, prompting police action. “The protest began this morning at Kotla in the Kotwali area after the graffiti was painted, which was objected to by members of the Muslim community. A complaint was lodged at Kotwali police station regarding the graffiti,” an official told PTI.
“Despite the arrest of one person, some protesters continued their demonstration. Even as police urged them to maintain law and order, certain individuals from the mob began pelting stones. Police resorted to lathi-charge to restore normalcy,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the “I Love Muhammad” controversy has also sparked unrest in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly. Last week, violent clashes were reported after police stopped people carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ placards from assembling. Force was used to disperse the crowd when some protesters allegedly hurled stones and raised slogans. Police said some individuals also opened fire during the unrest.
Following the incident in Bareilly, Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) president Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and seven others were arrested.
