Mumbai: Islamic Preacher Detained In Hate Speech Case, Supporters Flock To Ghatkopar Police Station In Protest

The detainment of the preacher led to a gathering of hundreds of Mufti's supporters outside the Ghatkopar police station in Mumbai, demanding his immediate release.

Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari addresses his supporters in Mumbai. ( Image Source :ANI )

New Delhi: The Gujarat Police on Sunday took Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari into custody in Mumbai as part of their investigation into a hate speech case, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying. Mufti Salman is currently lodged at the Ghatkopar police station in Mumbai.

The detainment of the preacher led to a gathering of hundreds of Mufti's supporters outside the police station, demanding his immediate release. The assembly of supporters caused a traffic standstill in the Ghatkopar area. To manage the situation, the police had to step up security measures in the vicinity.

The developments come after the Junagadh Police, on Saturday, arrested two individuals following the circulation of a video containing an inflammatory speech attributed to Mufti Salman Azhari. The alleged speech was delivered during an event held at an open ground near the 'B' division police station in Junagadh on the night of January 31, the police said, as reported by PTI.

With the video gaining traction on social media, an FIR was lodged against Azhari, along with local organisers Mohammad Yousuf Malek and Azim Habib Odedara. The charges include Sections 153B of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to promoting enmity between different religious groups, and 505(2), related to making statements conducive to public mischief.

The ongoing investigation aims to address the implications of the hate speech and determine the legal course of action against those involved.

Meanwhile, requesting his followers not to stage any protest over police action, Azhari, as quoted by news agency ANI, said, “Neither am I a criminal, nor have I been brought here for committing a crime. They are doing the required investigation and I am also cooperating with them. I am ready to be arrested if it is in my destiny.”

#WATCH | Mumbai: Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari who was arrested in a hate speech case requested his supporters not to protest and said, "...Neither am I a criminal, nor have I been brought here for committing a crime. They are doing the required investigation and I am also… https://t.co/rQHuf6LNK1 pic.twitter.com/7a8vZ32O46

— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2024