Mumbai
The Mumbai police have registered an FIR against an unidentified individual following a complaint by the Maharashtra BJP over a social media post by the state Congress unit depicting a BJP office on fire amid protests.
Maharashtra BJP Social Media Cell Coordinator Prakash Gade filed the complaint, alleging that the post incited violence. The FIR was registered at Marine Drive police station under Sections 192, 353(1), and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (provocation to cause riot and public mischief). Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Aniket Nikam shared the FIR on X, asserting that it served as a warning against attempts to disturb public peace.
The post referenced recent protests, including those in Leh demanding Ladakh statehood, where demonstrators set a BJP office ablaze. The Maharashtra Congress wrote, “Otherwise, just as the Gen Z in Leh set the BJP office on fire, a similar situation will arise across the entire country.”
The Leh protests on September 24 escalated into clashes with police, resulting in four casualties and the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike supporting the demands. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, condemned the violence, demanding Wangchuk’s release and urging the Centre to grant Ladakh Sixth Schedule status, stating the region’s people, culture, and traditions were under threat.