A significant protest led by former MP Imtiaz Jaleel of the AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) drew over 12,000 members of the Muslim community, along with Dalit and Maratha activists, to protest alleged hate speeches made by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and preacher Ramgiri Maharaj. However, the demonstrators, forming a convoy of nearly 2,000 vehicles, were prevented from entering Mumbai at the Mulund Check Naka late on Monday night.
The protest, known as the ‘Tiranga Samvidhan Rally’, originated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and saw participants journeying via the Samruddhi Expressway, marking the first time a protest rally caused significant traffic disruption on the newly constructed highway.
Peaceful Conclusion Amid Heavy Police Deployment
Despite initial concerns of unrest, the protest concluded without major incidents. Over 3,000 police officers were deployed across Mumbai to ensure order, with additional barricades set up at Mulund toll plaza to block the protestors from entering the city. The demonstrators peacefully dispersed after handing over their demands, which included copies of the Constitution, to the divisional collector and other officials.
Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Choudhary confirmed that after submitting their representation, the protestors returned to their respective regions without escalating the situation.
Imtiaz Jaleel’s Call for Action
At the rally, Jaleel passionately criticized the lack of police action against Nitesh Rane and Ramgiri Maharaj, both of whom are accused of inciting communal tension through hate speech. Jaleel called for immediate legal action, stating, “Muslims are being threatened from the stage; are these not criminal acts? Should action not be taken?” His speech underscored concerns about the growing divisions in Maharashtra, urging authorities to uphold the Constitution and prevent further communal incitement.
Jaleel’s protest also served to highlight the frustration with the state government’s inaction on hate speech. He addressed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasizing their responsibility to safeguard communal harmony and enforce stricter laws against inflammatory rhetoric.
Political and Social Implications
The rally drew significant participation from various political and social groups, illustrating the depth of anger and concern within different sections of society over rising communal tensions. The protesters sought to remind the state government of its obligation to address hate speech and safeguard religious harmony, with many seeing the protest as a broader call for accountability.
Although the protest was peacefully concluded without any violence or escalation, it has brought the issue of hate speech and communal divisions in Maharashtra to the forefront, signaling potential future protests if demands for action are not met.
This event underscores the delicate nature of communal politics in Maharashtra and could set the stage for further political developments, especially as Imtiaz Jaleel and the AIMIM continue to rally against hate speech and communal violence.