Tensions escalated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, Maharashtra, on Friday after a group of Muslims gathered outside the City Chowk police station, demanding action against Hindu religious leader Ramgiri Maharaj for his alleged objectionable remarks about Prophet Mohammad, according to officials.
The gathering, comprising a large number of Muslim community members, sought strict action against Ramgiri Maharaj, accusing him of making derogatory comments about Prophet Mohammad and Islam. In response, Inspector Nirmala Pardeshi of the City Chowk police station attempted to pacify the crowd, appealing for peace and assuring them that their concerns would be addressed, news agency PTI reported. She also promised that appropriate action would be taken against the leader.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: FIRs Lodged Against Ramgiri Maharaj, Maharashtra CM Shinde Shares Stage With Him Amid Row
The police have registered cases against Ramgiri Maharaj at Yeola in Nashik and Vaijapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts. The FIR in Vaijapur was filed under Section 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint lodged by a local resident.
Rafehasan Ali Khan, the complainant in the case, stated that he became aware of a video in which Ramgiri Maharaj was heard making controversial statements, including that one crore Muslims have abandoned Islam and a comment against Prophet Mohammad. "These words by Ramgiri Maharaj have hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and created a rift between the two communities," the complainant said, as per PTI.
Ramgiri Maharaj, the mahant of Sarla Bet Dham in Shrirampur taluka of Ahmednagar district, defended his controversial remarks during am event. He claimed that his statements were a response to the atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh and were aimed at uniting the Hindu community. Speaking to Marathi news channel ABP Majha earlier in the day, he stated, "Hindus should remain alert. I have spoken what I wanted to. I am firm on it and I am ready to face its consequences."
Despite the growing row over his comments, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde shared the stage with the religious leader during an event in Nashik district on Friday, referring to him as a "saint." Minister Girish Mahajan and former Ahmednagar MP Sujay Vikhe Patil also showed reverence by touching his feet on stage.
During the event in Nashik, Chief Minister Shinde praised the work of religious leaders like Ramgiri Maharaj, stating, “As many as 25 lakh people visited Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi this year. The ‘warkari’ community creates public awareness through sermons. As a result, many people have overcome their grief. Saints like Ramgiri Maharaj carry out the work of giving direction to people”, as quoted by PTI.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: AIMIM Urges Action Against Ramgiri Maharaj
In a related development, former MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) state unit president, Imtiaz Jaleel, wrote to the city police commissioner, urging action against Ramgiri Maharaj. In his letter, Jaleel asserted that the controversial statements were made deliberately in Panchale village, located in Sinnar tehsil of Nashik, with the intent to malign the image of the Muslim community, PTI reported.
Jaleel further alleged that such statements were designed to create divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities and could potentially incite communal riots. He insisted on strict action against Ramgiri Maharaj, accusing him of following orders from external forces. "Permissions are given to Sakal Hindu Samaj to hold protests on the day of community prayers of Muslims. It is a political conspiracy," Jaleel remarked while speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, as quoted by PTI.