Maharashtra: Yati Narsinghanand's Offensive Remark On Prophet Mohammad Stirs Up Communal Tension In Amravati

At least 21 police officers were injured after a mob hurled stones at them in Maharashtra's Amravati on Friday night, following a controversy over Hindu seer Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj's "objectionable" remarks about Prophet Mohammad.

The mob was demanding that the police file a case against the seer.

According to police reports, at least 10 police vehicles were damaged during the stone-pelting incident outside the Nagpuri Gate police station.

"A large mob, including members of various organizations, arrived at the Nagpuri Gate police station around 8:15 pm to insist on the registration of a case against Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj of Ghaziabad... The officer in charge informed the crowd that an FIR had already been lodged against the seer, after which they dispersed," Amravati Police Commissioner Navin Chandra Reddy told the media.

However, after a video of the seer's remarks went viral on social media, a larger group returned to the station.

"When police officers were trying to calm the situation, the mob suddenly began throwing stones at the police personnel... Some officers and police personnel were injured in the attack, and police are now taking action against the mob," Reddy added.

In response, authorities issued a prohibitory order under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), preventing the assembly of five or more people in the Nagpuri Gate area.

The police also registered a case against 1,200 individuals related to the mob attack under various BNSS sections, including 299 (intentional acts to outrage religious feelings), 302 (intentionally uttering words to wound religious sentiments), and 197 (actions harming national integration).

An FIR was also registered against Yati Narsinghanand Maharaj at Nagpuri Gate police station for his alleged remarks. So far, 26 individuals have been identified, and investigations are ongoing, according to police.