On Saturday, September 21, a protest erupted in Dharavi, Maharashtra, as BMC staff attempted to demolish what they claimed was an illegal part of the Subhania Mosque. The situation escalated when the crowd, estimated to be around 5,000 strong, clashed with BMC officials, leading to property damage, including breaking a BMC vehicle’s glass. In response, police have arrested three individuals accused of inciting the riot.
The arrests come as police have filed multiple charges against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 132, which is non-bailable and pertains to obstructing the work of government employees. The three individuals have since been presented in court.
Authorities said that many in the crowd were outsiders, and investigations indicated that inflammatory social media posts and videos had circulated since Friday night, inciting the protest against BMC’s actions. On the day of the demolition attempt, a massive crowd gathered near the mosque, disrupting traffic and prompting police to intervene.
Local residents attempted to calm the protesters, urging them to clear the road for vehicles.
Amid the unrest, the BMC has given the mosque committee eight days to address the alleged illegal construction, during which no further action will be taken against the mosque.
