Over 12,000 Muslim protestors march to Mumbai seeking action against BJP MLA and preacher for hate speech

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGR/MUMBAI: A large number of Muslim community members led by former MP Imtiaz Jaleel of AIMIM and other political and social groups, who had left Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in hundreds of vehicles on Monday afternoon, reached Mulund toll plaza late evening in an attempt to enter Mumbai to seek action against BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and preacher Ramgiri Maharaj over separate hate speech cases registered against them. The over 12,000-strong crowd, however, left from the Mulund toll naka after handing their representation to the divisional collector and other representatives at the spot late Monday night.

The protest march, called 'Tiranga Samvidhan Rally', started in Sambhajinagar. Hundreds of vehicles from different parts of Marathwada reached Sambhajinagar and started towards Mumbai via Samruddhi Super Expressway, disrupting traffic along the way. Police said this was for the first time the Samruddhi expressway witnessed a jam due to vehicles participating in a protest rally.

Jaleel was calling for the arrest of Ramgiri Maharaj and Nitesh Rane, accusing them of making inflammatory remarks. He planned to deliver copies of the Constitution to members of the ruling Mahayuti and senior police officials. However, Mumbai police stated Jaleel had not been granted permission to enter the city, and barricades were put up at Mulund toll naka, a key entry point to Mumbai. There was heavy police bandobast at the toll naka and across the city and more than 3,000 cops were deployed and traffic diverted.

Joint commissioner of police (law and order) Satyanarayan Choudhary, who was at spot monitoring the situation, confirmed the crowd left Monday night after handing over their letter to govt representatives. Close to 2,000 vehicles were part of the protest, an officer said, adding the rally of Muslims was also joined by vehicles comprising activists from the Dalit and Maratha communities.

The first traffic snarl was witnessed on the expressway soon after the vehicles entered it through Harsul Sawangi junction from Sambhajinagar. Similar situations arose at multiple locations till the rally, which even had private buses and mini-trucks, reached Mulund naka, where the police barricaded the entry point. Not taking any chances, the Sambhajinagar police as well as the state intelligence department deputed their teams along with the rally.

According to arrangements made by the Mumbai police, the cavalcade was to be stopped at Mulund naka and asked to return.

While heading to Mumbai after reaching Mumbra, Jaleel said, "We are going to Mumbai to make a representation to the chief minister and deputy CM (Fadnavis), who also holds charge of the home department. We will remind them that it is their duty to ensure that law prevails. Our protest is against state inaction against Ramgiri Maharaj and Nitesh Rane, who are already booked in several FIRs for inciting communal sentiments and for hate speeches."