Lucknow: On September 1, 2024, a Muslim man identified as Imran was arrested by the police in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, for burning a copy of the Quran and supporting Ramgiri Maharaj. Imran posted a video of himself burning the Quran on social media, which provoked strong reactions from the Muslim community.
The video, which went viral, showed Imran not only burning the Quran but also making inflammatory comments about Islam. This led members of the Muslim community to rush to the police station, demanding the arrest of Imran. Consequently, the police filed an FIR and took Imran into custody, vowing to take stern action against him.
Shahid, a councillor from Ward 24 in Shikarpur, Bulandshahr district, filed the complaint against Imran at the Shikarpur police station. Shahid stated, “On September 1st, Imran, a resident of Mohalla Ganj Sadat, shared a video on social media. In the viral video, Imran is seen burning the Quran Sharif, Islam’s sacred book. He is also making inappropriate comments about Islam. This has infuriated Muslims. Imran, the accused, should face serious consequences.”
The FIR includes charges under sections 192, 299, 302, and 353 of the IPC, citing that the accused hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. In his video, Imran criticized Islam, claiming, “Islam was never a peaceful religion and the people following it are committing a mistake. The Quran suggests murdering Kafirs, promotes teen talakh and halal practices which lead to disrespecting women. Sharia allows marriage of a 9-year-old girl just because Paigamber Mohammed did it. Is this justice? Many today are raping minors, abusing them. How can people snatch the childhood of minors? There’s no equality in Islam.”
Imran also defended his actions by supporting Ramgiri Maharaj and making further contentious statements. He remarked, “Whatever Swami Ramgiri Maharaj said was all correct. Mohammed Paigamber promoted all the wrong things. I agree I don’t know complete Islam but I have the guts to call out wrongdoings which these Maulanas and Muftis can’t do. I am just burning away this book. What these people have done to Bangladeshi Hindus is also wrong. Further, these Muslims are yelling slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ against Swami Ramgiri Maharaj who spoke for Bangladeshi Hindus. These Muslims eliminated the context in which Swami Ramgiri Maharaj said and accused him of blasphemy. I am against all this, committing this act and accepting Sanatan Dharma.”
The UP Police responded quickly, arresting Imran and addressing the situation. SP Rural Rohit Mishra confirmed, “The complaint was submitted by Shahid, a Shikarpur resident. Based on Shahid’s accusation, an FIR has been filed against the accused Imran under serious sections. Imran, the accused, has been arrested. There is peace in the area.”
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