Earlier this week, yet another incident of Islamist violence over the excuse of blasphemy allegations were witnessed in Maharashtra’s Hingoli. The incident took place on 15th December, when a Muslim mob comprising around 40-50 people attacked a Hindu businessman, Kailash Kabra over the excuse that he had committed blasphemy against Islam. The mob hurled stones at Kabra’s residence and commercial establishments alleging that he forwarded an objectionable WhatsApp message. Following the violent attack and stone pelting incident, the police have arrested at least 16 people in this case.
According to reports, the frenzied Muslim mob alleged that Kabra shared a derogatory post about Islam. The caption of the video stated, “Jihad ends in the Netherlands,” and allegedly made reference on Prophet Mohammed and Shariah law.
Launching a protest, the Muslim mob shouted provocative slogans, ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’ chants and call for violence, murder and beheading in the form of slogan ‘Gustakh-e-Nabi ki ek hi Saja, Sar Tan Se Juda’ (“The only punishment for blasphemy against the Prophet is beheading”).
The situation went out of control as the frenzied mob started throwing stones at the Hindu bussinessman’s shop at around 1:30 PM. Police were called and reached the spot to restore the situation.
The mob caused hindered when police team led by Vasmat Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rajkumar Kendre tried to break up the mob. “We suffered injuries on our heads, backs, and arms as the attackers continued to hurl stones at us,” Kendre stated in his complaint.
The mob is said to have threatened the police with dire consequences if they did not retreat. They threatened to kill the officers and burn down their vehicles. Despite the threats, police forces arrived and performed a charge to disperse the mob. Several officers were injured in the process, including SDPO Kendre.
Kailash Kabra and SDPO Kendre have filed an FIR based on their complaints. Mohammed Hasham Khan Afzal filed a complaint against Kabra, accusing him of insulting Islam and defaming the Prophet, on which Kabra was arrested under sections 196, 299, 351(4), 356(2), and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023.
Charges were also framed against the rioters under sections 109, 121(1), 132, 189(2), 190, 191(2), 191(3) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023, Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, and Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932. These included rioting, attempts to murder, and voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servants from performing their duty.
The FIR mentions 12 people who are direct perpetrators of the crime: Sheikh Mohsin Sheikh Hasan, Khalid Akhtar Jameer Ahmed, Sheikh Arbaz Sheikh Mehmood, Sheikh Nadeem Sheikh Moin, Mohammed Shoaib Mohammed Maksood, Musharaf Kajoloddin Faruqi, Mohammed Sohail Mohammed Maksood, Sheikh Ajeem Sheikh Moin, Arbaaz Sheikh, Junaid, Aarfaat Sheikh, and Sayyed Javed Sayyed Khanja. Eight suspects were detained at the scene, while eight others were arrested following a search operation. Efforts are being made to apprehend the remaining persons involved.
In his statement, SDPO Kendre described the violence in which the mob initially congregated outside Kabra’s shop and then went to his house. The aggressors targeted the shutter of Kabra’s shop, which was closed, and hurled stones blindly. “We asked them what was wrong when we reached there,” the complaint reads in Kendre’s statement; “instead of explaining, they threatened and continued their violence.”
The police have confirmed that the situation is under control but tense in the region. An investigation was launched to know the extent of the planning and involvement with regard to the incident. An official said, “We are making all efforts to arrest the remaining accused and see justice is served.”
