Belagavi – Tensions continued in Belagavi city, Karnataka, on Saturday following a stone-pelting incident linked to the raising of ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans during a religious procession.
Police have detained 11 individuals and strengthened security across the city ahead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s scheduled visit.
The incident occurred Friday evening during the ‘Urs’ procession near Khadak Galli, when slogans of ‘I Love Muhammad’ were raised. Objections from locals reportedly led to stone-pelting. Authorities said video evidence shows youths chanting slogans and engaging in violence, and that the procession route had been altered without permission.
A case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing. A platoon of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) has been deployed, and police patrols have been intensified. Authorities indicated more arrests could follow.
Meanwhile, Hindutva activists put up ‘Har Har Mahadev’ banners in Belagavi, and an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner in Aland, Kalaburagi, was removed by local police.
Earlier, similar clashes over a poster occurred in Davanagere city, further fueling communal tensions.
With inputs from IANS