Violent protests erupt in Maharashtra's Ahilya Nagar over the 'I Love Mohammad' controversy; 30 miscreants arrested

Maharashtra: Communal tensions erupted in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, on Monday over the "I Love Mohammad" controversy. A rangoli created by unidentified individuals in the Maliwada area with the image of "I Love Mohammad" sparked widespread controversy. Hundreds of Muslim members protested outside the Kotwali police station, alleging that religious sentiments were hurt. Police resorted to lathicharge at several locations to control the situation, and 30 people have been arrested so far.

The local police have taken the matter seriously and have tightened security and appealed to the public not to believe rumors. Police have identified the rangoli artists, filed a case against them, and initiated action.

How did the controversy begin?

In the Maliwada area of ​​Ahilyanagar, some unidentified individuals created a rangoli that read "I Love Mohammad." Seeing this rangoli, members of the Muslim community became enraged and protested outside the Kotwali police station, accusing it of hurting religious sentiments.

Identification of the culprits

Given the seriousness of the incident, police identified the accused who created the rangoli and filed a case against two of them. One of the accused has been taken into custody. Police had to use mild force in some places to control the crowd. Eyewitnesses said the protest began peacefully but soon turned violent after heated arguments. Shops in the nearby market were forced to shut down as panic spread among residents. Authorities confirmed that more suspects are being questioned in connection with the case. Police have assured that strict legal action will follow against those responsible. Community leaders have been asked to cooperate to prevent further escalation.

Strict security arrangements

Police have tightened security throughout the area. Local police have appealed to the public to disregard any rumors and maintain peace. They also stated that the situation is under control and all possible steps are being taken to maintain law and order. Additional police forces from nearby districts have been deployed to avoid any fresh outbreak of violence. Patrolling has been intensified in sensitive areas, especially around mosques and community centers. Senior officers are personally monitoring the ground situation round the clock. Authorities warned that spreading false information on social media will invite strict action. Peace committees have been activated to build confidence among citizens and restore normalcy quickly.