Chennai: Karnataka police booked nine people for allegedly trespassing into Mahmud Gawan madrasa and performing pooja during Dasara festivities on Thursday. They also arrested four persons in connection with the incident.
According to a tweet on ANI, Additional SP Mahesh Meghannavar said, "Bidar police booked nine people for allegedly trespassing into Mahmud Gawan madrasa, a heritage site & performing puja during Dasara festivities yesterday (Thursday)."
"Members of Muslim community staged a protest. However, the situation is under control," he said.
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On Thursday, the mob allegedly trespassed into the heritage site and reportedly damaged it by breaking a coconut during a pooja. However, the police did not make any confirmation regarding the damage.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also shared a video of the incident. He took to social media and said, "Visuals from historic Mahmud Gawan masjid & madrasa, Bidar, #Karnataka (5th October). Extremists broke the gate lock & attempted to desecrate @bidar_police, @BSBommai how can you allow this to happen? BJP is promoting such activity only to demean Muslims."
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Police booked the nine persons based on a complaint from Syed Mubhashir Ali. The madrasa built in 1460s is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).