Koppal: Gangavati police have filed an FIR against 5 persons for allegedly trying to whip up communal discord. They had tried to perform a Mangalarati to the minar of Jama Masjid on 28 September. This incident had brought the town closer to a communal flare-up.
Gangavathi police have taken proactive measures by filing an FIR against five individuals who conducted an aarti outside the Jamia Masjid in the town during the Ganesh Visarjan procession on September 28. This incident came to the forefront when a video of the aarti started circulating on various social media platforms, prompting law enforcement authorities to intervene.
The video depicted pro-Hindu activists fervently chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans in front of the mosque as a part of the procession organized by the ‘Hindu Maha Mandali’ during the Ganesh idol immersion. The procession was temporarily halted in front of the Jamia Masjid, leading to the performance of the aarti.
The situation garnered more attention when a video of the incident gained significant traction on Facebook and other social media platforms.
In response to this, a constable lodged a formal complaint with the Gangavathi Town Police, leading to the initiation of an FIR. The FIR has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 153 (provocation of a riot), Section 295A (outraging religious feelings by insulting religion), and Section 505(2) (offence committed in a place of worship or during religious worship).
The individuals named in the FIR are Channabasava Hugar, Kumar Hugar, Shreekanth Hosakeri, Sangamesh Ayodhya, and Yamanoor Rathod, all of whom are residents of Gangavathi. Law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter.