30 arrested after protests over roadside rangoli in Ahilyanagar

As per police, protesters had blocked the arterial Ahilyanagar-Chhattrapati Sambhajinagar Road. An officer said that the protests took place even as the police arrested the person who had drawn the rangoli.

“The protest began this morning at Kotla in Kotwali area after someone had drawn rangoli of ‘I Love Muhammad’ on the road, which was objected to by members of the Muslim community. A complaint was lodged at Kotwali police station against this,” an official said.

The official said that a video of the rangoli was widely shared on social media platforms Sunday night, leading to protests early Monday.

An official said that even as they urged the mob to maintain law and order, some persons started pelting stones. “Police resorted to a lathicharge to restore normalcy,” the official said.

At least 30 persons have been detained in connection with the protests, road blockade and stone pelting, Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said.

“We used force to maintain law and order. Police is taking action against the accused persons. The situation is under control. Citizens must not believe in or spread rumours,” Gharge said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is touring Yavatmal, said authorities will find out if there is a conspiracy to disturb social peace in the state and polarise the society ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

“Everyone is free to practice their own religion but one should not indulge in polarisation,” the CM said.

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