Dehradun: Protests broke out in Dehradun’s Patel Nagar locality after an alleged derogatory social media post against Prophet Muhammad, prompting police to conduct a flag march on Tuesday night to restore order.
Officials said a screenshot containing the objectionable remarks was shared online on Monday by 19-year-old Gulshan Singh, a resident of Patel Nagar originally from Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh. He was taken into custody and a case was filed under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments. The post was subsequently removed.
Following the incident, nearly 800 people gathered near the local police post, blocked roads, and raised provocative slogans, according to Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh. Additional forces were rushed to the spot and the crowd was dispersed using mild force.
A case has also been registered against the unidentified mob for unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and attempting to incite communal tension, Singh said.
Authorities confirmed that the situation in Patel Nagar remains tense but under control, with police appealing to residents to maintain peace and avoid disrupting communal harmony.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami warned that religious extremism and attempts to disturb law and order would be dealt with firmly. “Strict action has been taken against those who created anarchy in Patel Nagar, Dehradun, and are trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the state,” he said.