Bengaluru Police have registered three FIRs and arrested six people, including Hindutva supporter Puneeth Kerehalli, following clashes between two groups during an Eid Milad procession in Basavanagudi on Wednesday.
The incident took place near Garadi Apartments on KR Road when the Eid Milad procession was passing through the area. Police said the situation remained tense but under control, with additional forces deployed and increased patrolling in the area.
Police Say Slogans Led to Tension
According to the police investigation cited by Deccan Herald, members of the Muslim community were raising religious slogans and carrying religious flags as the procession passed the apartment complex.
Police alleged that Kerehalli and his associates, who were carrying saffron flags, approached the procession while raising “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. Police described their actions as provocative.
Kerehalli and others allegedly asked members of the Muslim community to stop raising slogans. During the confrontation, a man identified as Murali was allegedly assaulted by some members of the Muslim community, police said.
Police said Kerehalli and his associates continued raising slogans even after the alleged assault and did not take the injured man to hospital. Kerehalli allegedly made Murali lie down beside him and staged a protest.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) K Vamsi Krishna reached the spot and arranged for the injured man to be taken to hospital. Kerehalli was taken to the police station as a preventive measure and was later formally arrested along with two others after being taken to hospital, police said.
Six People Arrested
The other arrested persons have been identified as Gopi Gowda, 26, from Ramanagar; Vinod Naik, 24, from Basavanagudi; and Akmal Pasha, 18, Abubakr Siddiq, 24, and Syed Anas, 22, from different parts of Banashankari.
The three FIRs have been registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds, acts affecting communal harmony, criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous weapons or means, and unlawful assembly.
Police are examining CCTV footage and recording statements as part of the investigation.
