Tensions flared in Maharashtra's Beed district on Monday evening as an unidentified individual defaced the prominent Markazi Masjid mosque in Majalgaon with a religious slogan, sparking outrage among the local Muslim community.
The incident, which occurred late in the evening, saw the phrase ‘Shri Ram’ scrawled across the walls of the mosque, leading to a gathering of Muslims outside the mosque and the local police station, demanding immediate action from authorities.
In response, the police registered a case under section 295 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to intentionally defiling a place of worship. Dheeraj Kumar, the sub-divisional police officer in Majalgaon, assured the public that efforts were underway to track down the perpetrator responsible for the vandalism.
The incident has reignited concerns about communal harmony in the region, with community leaders urging for calm and restraint amidst the escalating tensions. Authorities have pledged to ensure the swift apprehension of the culprit and to take necessary measures to prevent any further escalation of the situation.