Mandsaur: In the wake of communal tensions in Mandsaur on Monday, when an Eid-Milad-un-Nabi procession was disrupted, the Muslim community, under the guidance of the city Qazi, chose to respond peacefully. Businesses were shut down across the city as a mark of protest, following a call by City Qazi, Asif Ullah Khan, urging the community to demonstrate patience and adhere to the law in the face of provocation.
The alleged incident occurred near Bada Balaji Temple, where tensions flared during the religious procession, with allegations of stone-pelting from certain quarters. Despite attempts to disrupt peace, the Muslims maintained calm. The swift response of police and local administration helped de-escalate the situation, which had threatened to spiral out of control. Authorities detained 11 individuals, based on CCTV footage, in connection with the disturbances, and police presence remained high throughout the night.
The Qazi’s appeal for a peaceful response was heeded by the community, with many businesses closing their doors on September 17 as a mark of solidarity. In a video message, Qazi Asif Ullah Khan called on the Muslims to remain patient, noting that the community had displayed great restraint despite attempts to provoke. He said FIRs would be lodged against those responsible for any damage or disturbances, and urged everyone to seek justice as per law.
Following the unrest, Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Gupta and IG of Ujjain Range, Santosh Kumar Singh, arrived in Mandsaur on Monday night to assess the situation. They reviewed security arrangements and gave instructions to ensure the maintenance of peace. Police patrols continued in sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation, while the cyber cell monitored social media for the spread of misinformation.
In a separate incident in Kachanara village, under the Nahargarh police station, tensions were reignited when stones were allegedly thrown during a Ganesh idol immersion procession. Accusations were made that the stones came from a shop and the boundary of a madrasa, leading to protests by local residents. The situation was defused when local authorities removed the shop from where the stones were allegedly thrown, and a team was formed to investigate the incident.
