Tension escalated in the Baizpur area of Maharashtra’s Akola city on Friday as members of the Bajrang Dal barged into the local meat shop, claiming beef was being sold there. The tension further snowballed when the local Muslim residents confronted the group. The group reportedly accused the Bajrangdal members of unlawfully barging into the shop.
“They started shouting slogans and abusing the shop owner,” said Mohammed Salim, a local resident, and the Observer post reported. “When we tried to stop them, they began provoking people. It looked planned,” he added.
Stones Pelted, Slogans Raised, Police Denies Violence
Soon after the confrontation, groups from both sides raised slogans, and as per some media reports, stone pelting unfolded; meanwhile, the police denied any major violence.
“There was no physical clash… a small crowd gathered, and some slogans were shouted. The situation was quickly brought under control,” said Police Inspector Rajesh Patil of Akola City Police.
However, the incident resulted in the detention of a few people for questioning, which led BJP, Bajrang Dal, and Vishva Hindu Parishad supporters to assemble outside the police station with the demand for the release of detainees. Meanwhile, Muslim youth also gathered nearby and chanted slogans of peace and justice.
“Some groups are trying to divide people on religious lines. The police must take strict action against those spreading hatred,” said Local Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan.
