"The way certain boards are being put up, we need to examine whether there's a conspiracy at play. We must also identify who is attempting to disturb the social environment," CM Fadnavis said
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday suggested that a larger conspiracy may be behind the recent violence in Ahilyanagar, where 30 people were detained following a protest that escalated over an allegedly objectionable Rangoli design.
Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis condemned the incident and expressed concern over efforts to create social unrest.
According to the news agency ANI, he said, "The way certain boards are being put up, we need to examine whether there's a conspiracy at play. We must also identify who is attempting to disturb the social environment."
"Is this an effort to polarise society, similar to what was attempted during the Lok Sabha elections? Everyone has the right to follow their religion, but provoking tensions among people in this manner is unacceptable," he added.
According to a statement issued by Ahilyanagar Police, 30 individuals were detained after the protest turned violent. Authorities said they had to use a mild lathi charge to control the situation.
As per ANI, the incident began today around 7 AM. During Navratri celebrations, someone had made a Rangoli with some objectionable elements against a religious community. After noticing the objectionable content of the Rangoli, people of the community reached the police station and lodged their complaint.
Following that, an FIR was registered, and one person was arrested who had made that Rangoli, but the group was still not convinced, and they started a protest in Kotla under the jurisdiction of Tofkhana Police Station, Ahilyanagar police said.
As per the police, after half an hour, when the police tried to convince them to end their protest, they started pelting stones. In response to that, the police had to resort to a mild lathi charge. The crowd was dispersed, and the area is peaceful now.
An FIR has also been registered, and an investigation into the case is underway.
Bareilly violence: Cleric Tauqeer Khan's aide detained for mobilising crowd, misleading cops
In another similar incident, police on Monday detained a close associate of the cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Tauqeer Raza Khan in connection with the recent violence in Bareilly during a protest in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, officials said.
Confirming the detention of Nadeem, Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya told PTI that the incident was not spontaneous, but premeditated.
According to senior officials, investigations revealed that Nadeem allegedly orchestrated the protest. He contacted 55 individuals via WhatsApp, who then mobilised a crowd of around 1,600 people.
“They conspired to launch an agitation similar to the anti-CAA and NRC protests, placing minors at the forefront of the demonstration,” said an official.
Nadeem and his associates were allegedly active at key locations, including the Khalil School intersection and the Shyamganj area, where they incited the crowd, the official added.
Police also claimed that Nadeem initially misled authorities about the demonstration called by Tauqeer Raza Khan after Friday prayers.
On Thursday night, he allegedly visited the police station with associates Nafees and Liaqat, assuring officers that no demonstration would take place on Friday, and that IMC supporters would be instructed to offer prayers peacefully at 5 a.m. in mosques.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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