Communal Tension Erupts in Maharashtra Over 'I Love Mohammed' Rangoli: 30 Detained Following Protests

Protests erupted in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar over 'I love Mohammed' written on a rangoli

Mumbai:

Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra has experienced significant tension following the appearance of "I love Mohammed" slogan on a rangoli created on a road, which triggered communal unrest. The situation escalated when protesters clashed with police forces, requiring officers to employ mild force to restore order. Authorities have registered an FIR and detained 30 individuals in connection with the incident.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed concerns about possible deliberate attempts to disrupt communal harmony, suggesting an investigation into whether the incident was part of a conspiracy.

According to police reports, the tension in Ahilyanagar (formerly known as Ahmednagar) began this morning when residents discovered a road rangoli bearing the words "I love Mohammed." A police statement explained, "During Navratri celebrations, someone had made a Rangoli with some objectionable elements against the Muslim community. After noticing the objectionable content of the Rangoli, people of the community reached the police station and lodged their complaint."

Law enforcement officials confirmed that an FIR was promptly registered and an individual was arrested for allegedly creating the controversial rangoli. However, protesters remained unsatisfied with this action and proceeded to block a highway in demonstration.

"After half an hour, when the police tried to convince them to end their protest, they started throwing 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 30 people have been detained by Ahilyanagar police," authorities reported.

Chief Minister Fadnavis addressed the situation with caution, stating, "I was travelling, so I do not know what exactly happened. But I would like to say that we must investigate if there is a conspiracy behind this. Is someone trying to disrupt communal harmony? During the Lok Sabha election, similar attempts to polarise were made. We will have to investigate this."

This incident follows a recent controversy in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, where an FIR was filed against 24 people for allegedly displaying 'I Love Muhammad' boards during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession on September 4. Hindu organizations characterized this as a "deliberate provocation." Since then, similar slogans and posters have appeared in various locations across the country.