September 24, 2024

Mumbai: A large protest rally organized by former MP Imtiaz Jaleel of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and various political and social groups, involving over 12,000 people from the Muslim community, was stopped at the Mulund Check Naka on Monday night. The protesters were heading to Mumbai to demand action against BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and preacher Ramgiri Maharaj for their alleged hate speeches.

The rally, named the ‘Tiranga Samvidhan Rally,’ began in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and saw hundreds of vehicles, including buses and mini-trucks, converging from different parts of Marathwada via the Samruddhi Expressway. This is the first time a protest rally caused a traffic jam on the expressway, disrupting travel for hours.

Protest Rally Denied Entry into Mumbai

Despite the massive turnout, the Mumbai Police denied the protestors entry into the city. The rally was stopped at the Mulund Check Naka late on Monday, where representatives submitted a memorandum to the divisional collector, demanding action against Nitesh Rane and Ramgiri Maharaj for inciting communal hatred. Following this, the protestors dispersed peacefully without entering Mumbai.

Over 3,000 Police Officers Deployed to Maintain Law and Order

In anticipation of the protest, over 3,000 police officers were deployed across the city to prevent any untoward incidents. Heavy police presence and traffic diversions were enforced at multiple locations to manage the convoy of nearly 2,000 vehicles that participated in the protest. Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Choudhary confirmed that the protest ended without violence or escalation.

Imtiaz Jaleel’s Call for Action Against Hate Speech

At the rally, Imtiaz Jaleel expressed serious concern over rising communal and caste-based tensions in Maharashtra. He criticized the lack of action against Nitesh Rane and Ramgiri Maharaj, who are facing multiple FIRs for hate speech. “Muslims are being threatened from public stages; are these not criminal acts? Why hasn’t action been taken?” Jaleel asked, calling for the immediate arrest of both Rane and Maharaj.

Jaleel also stressed the importance of upholding the Constitution and rule of law, emphasizing that hate speech should be met with strict legal consequences. He directed his statements at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, urging them to take responsibility and act decisively against inflammatory rhetoric.

Protestors Demand Stricter Laws Against Hate Speech

The aim of the rally was to peacefully highlight the failure of the state government to curb hate speech and prevent communal tensions. Protestors intended to deliver copies of the Constitution to government officials and demanded immediate legal action against Nitesh Rane and Ramgiri Maharaj.

Conclusion: Rally Disperses Peacefully After Submitting Memorandum

While the protest saw a significant turnout and caused major traffic disruptions, it concluded peacefully after protestors handed over their memorandum to authorities at Mulund Check Naka. The Mumbai Police had made it clear that they would not allow the rally to enter the city to prevent any potential unrest. Despite being denied entry, protest leaders, including Imtiaz Jaleel, maintained that the rally achieved its goal of drawing attention to the issue of hate speech and the need for stricter laws.

Key Updates on Muslim Protest Rally in Mumbai:

• 12,000 protestors gathered for the rally but were stopped at Mulund Check Naka.
• Imtiaz Jaleel demands action against Nitesh Rane and Ramgiri Maharaj for alleged hate speech.
• Massive traffic disruption on Samruddhi Expressway due to convoy of protestors.
• 3,000 police officers deployed across the city to prevent unrest.
• Protestors submitted a memorandum to authorities before dispersing peacefully.

Stay updated on the latest developments in the Mumbai protest rally and related news.