KHANDWA UPDATE: A single Instagram post denigrating Prophet Muhammad plunged Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa into turmoil Thursday night. Protests at Moghat police station spiraled, prompting police action against 47 amid demands for the poster’s home demolition.
The account ‘Prabhakar Shinde’ posted the objectionable content, inciting Muslim youth. Following Mujahid Qureshi’s complaint from Singhad Talai, cops invoked BNS Section 299, nabbing the suspect. Yet, unrest peaked with protesters occupying the premises and raising anti-police slogans.
Heavy deployment followed, with ASP, CSP, ADM, and others containing the frenzy via light force. Chargesheets targeted 22 named figures like Sohail (Housing Board), Amir (Moghat), ex-AIMIM’s Jahid (Shakkar Talab), and 25 more for armed affray, assault, and obstruction under key BNS sections.
The episode, blending social media spark with real-world fallout, serves as a cautionary tale on hate speech regulations. Khandwa braces for aftershocks as legal proceedings unfold.