BANGALORE: At least three people were killed in India’s Bangalore after a “derogatory” Facebook post about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sparked riots and resulted in clashes between police and thousands of protesters on Wednesday.
According to media reports, reacting to the post, a mob gathered outside the lawmaker’s house and set two cars on fire.
The violence that erupted late Tuesday night went on at least eight hours, adding that 110 others had been apprehended as of Wednesday morning.
The violence erupted after a close relative of a local lawmaker, Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, made a “derogatory” post about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the social media site. The post has since been deleted.
Police confirmed that Muzamill Pasha and six other suspects from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were also arrested for investigation.
Bangalore Police Commissioner Kamal Pant wrote on Twitter that the lawmaker’s relative had been apprehended for the post, along with about 100 others for rioting and arson, and the situation was now under control.
With regard to incidents in DJ Halli, accused Naveen arrested for posting derogatory posts.. also total 110 accused arrested for arson, stone pelting and assault on police. APPEAL TO ALL TO COOPERATE WITH POLICE TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
— CP Bengaluru ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಆಯುಕ್ತ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು (@CPBlr) August 11, 2020
At least 60 officers were injured the previous evening as a furious crowd attacked a police station and set vehicles on fire. Local media images showed protesters trying to barge into the police building and shouting slogans outside the politician’s home.
Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India and is home to a sizable Muslim community among its eight million people.
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