Police in Kanpur have booked more than two dozen people for allegedly disturbing communal harmony during Barawafat celebrations by putting up boards and erecting a tent on a public road.
According to officials, the FIR was lodged on September 9 at Rawatpur police station against nine named individuals and 15 unidentified persons. The accused had installed boards with the words “I Love Mohammad” written on them in Syed Nagar, close to a gate from where the Ram Navami procession usually passes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Dinesh Tripathi said Hindu organisations objected to the move, calling it a “new trend” and “deliberate provocation.” He added, “We tried to persuade them to remove the boards and tent as no new trend on public roads can be permitted. Their actions posed a potential threat to law and order. No one will be spared.”
Police said clerics were brought in to mediate, but when the efforts failed, the boards and tent were removed to restore peace.
The FIR names Sharafat Hussain, Babu Ali, Mohammad Siraj, Rahman, Ikram Ahmed, Iqbal, Bunty, Kunnu ‘Kabadi’, and Sahnoor Alam, along with two vehicle drivers and 15 unidentified persons. CCTV footage reportedly confirmed their involvement.
Station House Officer K. K. Mishra alleged that the act was “deliberately planned to disturb peace.” Police are conducting searches to arrest the absconding accused.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.