Mumbai: 3 Arrested Over Provocative Social Media Posts In Dharavi Mosque Demolition Protests

Mumbai: In connection with the Dharavi mosque demolition row, police have arrested three individuals for allegedly creating provocative social media posts that incited a large protest on Saturday.

The Dharavi police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on the same day against unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including rioting, unlawful assembly, and assaulting public servants.

According to the police, several provocative social media posts, created by anonymous accounts, called for mass participation in the protests. The police estimate that nearly 5,000 people gathered in Dharavi, many of whom were not local residents. During the protest, two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) vans were vandalised, with their front glass shattered by bamboo sticks and stones.

The crowd disrupted traffic, but the Dharavi and traffic police managed to clear the roads by using loudspeaker announcements. Fortunately, the crowd complied, allowing buses and vehicles to pass.

On Sunday, the three arrested individuals, reportedly local residents, were presented in magistrate court. They have been charged under multiple sections of the BNS, 2023, including Section 132 (assault or use of criminal force on a public servant), Section 198 (unlawful assembly), Section 191 (rioting), Section 191(3) (rioting while armed with deadly weapons), and Section 324(3) (causing damage to public or government property).

The protests were sparked by the BMC’s attempt to demolish unauthorised construction at the Subhani Mosque on 90 Feet Road. The mosque trustees requested 4-5 days to remove the encroachments themselves, with the BMC setting a final deadline for action.