Four young people, all of whom were enrolled in a coaching program in Alibaug, a city in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, were detained by police on Tuesday for allegedly using derogatory language about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
While others were being held in custody, one of the four accused, an 18-year-old, was apprehended. The 18-year-old was brought before a judge in this city, and he was ordered to remain in police detention until Wednesday.
The official added that a pupil in the coaching class filed a complaint alleging that the four beat him up after he objected to their use of disrespectful language on the Maratha ruler.
He said that a sizable throng had amassed in the coastal city’s Shivaji Chowk neighborhood but that the police had dispersed them.
Muslim community members also denounced the language used by the four teens.
According to a press statement from the police, a FIR was filed against the four people under sections 295 of the Indian Penal Code (Deliberate and malicious conduct designed to arouse religious emotions), 323 (penalty for willingly inflicting harm), and 506 (penalty for criminal intimidation).
The unlawful gathering and violation of the order prohibiting gatherings of more than five people led to the filing of a complaint against 50–60 individuals under different sections of the IPC and the Mumbai Police Act.
Local law enforcement officers, including those from the Quick Response Team and Riot Control Police, conducted a rout march in delicate areas of Alibaug on Monday.