Facebook post sparks protests in Maharashtra

A post on Facebook sparked tension in parts of Bhiwandi and Thane on Thursday,with shops remaining shut through the day. The police said the post hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. Angry crowds staged protests,demanding the arrest of the person who posted objectionable photos denigrating the holy mosque at Mecca.

According to local residents and the police,the post was initially seen by a few residents of Rabodi in Thane on Wednesday. More than 100 people from the locality staged a protest at around 8pm on Wednesday,and approached the Rabodi police station seeking action against the person who posted the pictures. By midnight,the news about the post spread to the outskirts of Bhiwandi.

A mob of around 200 people then blocked the Mumbai-Nashik highway,stopping traffic movement for more than an hour. The police had to resort to mild lathicharge to disperse the mob.

Some protesters moved towards Bhiwandi. Protests were also held at Nizampura,Shantinagar,Vanzarpatti and Bhiwandi town.

After the protests,the police sought permission from a metropolitan magistrate court to block the Facebook page,and by evening the page was removed.