Tension prevailed in Jalandhar Friday following an altercation between members of two communities during a protest march near the district administrative complex, leading to a case registered against leaders of one of the groups. On Friday morning, members of an organisation gathered to submit a memorandum to the Police Commissioner over an issue of ‘I Love Mohammad” poster row. The members alleged that during their protest, a scooter rider passing by raised religious slogans, which led to an argument. The matter was sorted following the police intervention. But later the same rider, who was from other community, was allegedly stopped and his scooter keys were taken away, resulting in a scuffle and a protest by the Hindu community leaders. The protestors left the area after the members of the other group reached the spot and staged a blockade at Press Club Chowk. They shifted to the BMC Chowk later in the evening, where police attempted to disperse them. Many leaders including BJP leaders K D Bhandari and Sheetal Angural, along with Shiv Sena leaders, also joined the protest. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Naresh Dogra said earlier when one of the groups gathered to submit a memorandum to the Police Commissioner, both the groups had a minor scuffle near the district administrative complex. The DCP said, later in the afternoon the people of the other group, based on some videos, filed complaints. Following which, a case was registered against Ayub Khan, Namin Khan and two others. He said the case has been registered under BNS Sections 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 299 (act to outrage religious feelings) etc. The DCP also said that some more sections may also be included as some videos are still being investigated. Congress MLA, Jalandhar Cantt assembly constituency, Pargat Singh posted on X: “I appeal to all communities in Jalandhar… to maintain peace and brotherhood. Punjab has always lived in harmony, and no one will be allowed to disturb this unity. Let the law take its own course. I urge everyone to cooperate with the administration and ensure calm.
