Day after rally against mosque in Uttarkashi, police book 150-200 people, say they promoted enmity, misbehaved with women cops

Protesters under the banner of Sanyukt Sanatan Dharm Rakshak Sangh had taken out the rally on Thursday, claiming that a mosque in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi town was built illegally and demanding that it be demolished. However, police officers have said the mosque was built legally on land registered to members of the Muslim community.

According to the FIR, the rally had permission to start at Hanuman Chowk and proceed through Singal Tiraha, Kali Kamli, the petrol pump, bus stand, and Sabzi Mandi, and end at Ramlila Maidan. However, on reaching Singal Tiraha, participants allegedly began breaking through barricades set up to demarcate the route.

The rally then turned violent, with participants attacking police officers and other officials with sticks and stones, the FIR alleged, adding that inflammatory speeches were also delivered and slogans were raised against police and a particular community.

At least seven police personnel were seriously injured and, as per the FIR, officers had to fight to protect themselves from intense stone-pelting. Women officers were allegedly abused, pushed, and subjected to derogatory language.

The FIR said that participants acted with unified intent, allegedly inciting religious sentiments, promoting animosity, and using violence to damage government property. Rally participants were also accused of vandalising closed shops along their route.

Those named in the FIR were Jitendra Chauhan, Sonu Negi, Suraj Dabral, Kulveer Rana, Sushil Sharma, Gautam Rawat, Alok Rawat, and Sachendra Parmar. Another 150-200 unidentified were also booked.

The FIR was registered under several Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita sections, including attempt to murder and assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.