Row over 'I love Mohammad' banner

The ongoing nationwide protests by the Muslim community over the 'I love Mohammad' poster row led to unrest here too this evening.

The Muslim community was holding a protest outside the District Administrative Complex around 4 pm, holding a banner 'I love Mohammad' written on it. They were also chanting slogans. A young man rode past on his scooter and said 'Jai Shree Ram' loudly.

At this, Muslims got infuriated. They stopped Yogesh Maini, a BJP activist and forcibly took away the keys of his scooter. There have been allegations that he was beaten up too. BJP leaders, led by ex-MLA KD Bhandari, who were already inside the complex to meet the Police Commissioner over the issue of allotment of site for setting up cracker market, said they saw this happen and rushed to the rescue of Maini.

Many more BJP leaders and Hindu activists, including Amit Taneja, Pardeep Khullar, Ravi Mahendru and Ashok Sareen Hikky, reached the spot. They all went to BMC Chowk at 6 pm to lodge their protest. There was a loud chanting of 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans. They demanded that an FIR be registered immediately or else they would not lift dharna.

ADCP Naresh Dogra reached the spot. He assured them that an FIR was being registered against the Muslim leaders under the relevant sections of the BNS.

The BJP leaders vacated the site upon his assurance. They gave a few names to be added to the FIR and demanded that the accused be arrested by 11 am tomorrow, failing which they shall again lodge a protest.