BHOPAL: Police maintained heavy deployment across Bhopal’s Old City on Friday ahead of namaz after expiry of a 72-hour ultimatum issued over viral videos showing a Muslim man being assaulted by alleged Bajrang Dal activists, with barricading intensified around Iqbal Maidan, Budhwara, Peergate, Taj-ul-Masajid complex and other sensitive pockets along Berasia Road.
Security deployment was stepped up across communally sensitive localities as police sought to prevent any escalation following protests over the videos, which had circulated widely on social media earlier this week.
The incident at the centre of the controversy took place last weekend after a group of men allegedly linked to Bajrang Dal confronted a Muslim man at a hotel in the Govindpura area where he was present with a Hindu woman. Videos of the incident purportedly showed the man being assaulted and subjected to abusive communal remarks.
The clips triggered outrage among members of the Muslim community, who strongly objected to the alleged remarks made in the videos. Community representatives, however, categorically distanced themselves from the youth involved in the case and maintained that their protest was directed against the alleged irreverence seen in the footage.
Protests peaked on Tuesday, with community leaders demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for the alleged objectionable remarks and wider action in the case.
Late on Tuesday night, scores of people gathered on the streets near Imami Gate in the Old City, prompting a swift police response. Eyewitnesses claimed police resorted to a cane charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Police subsequently registered a case and arrested two accused, including a minor. However, protests continued through the week, with demonstrators demanding arrest of other accused and action under stringent legal provisions against those involved.
Members of the Muslim community later issued a 72-hour ultimatum seeking further police action. The deadline expired on Friday.
With Friday prayers seen as a potential flashpoint, police intensified patrolling, erected barricades and increased deployment in the Old City and other vulnerable localities through the day.
Officials said the situation remained under control but continued to be monitored closely.
Shahar Qazi, along with Congress MLAs Arif Masood and Atif Aqueel, appealed to residents to maintain peace and disperse peacefully after prayers. They urged people not to take the law into their own hands and expressed confidence in the police investigation.
In a parallel development, TT Nagar police registered an FIR against Chandrashekhar Tiwari, president of the Hindu Utsav Committee.
Police said Tiwari has been accused of assaulting a youth during protests linked to the controversy and allegedly using abusive language against the Qazi. He has not been arrested so far.
Authorities said security forces remained on alert across the city to prevent any deterioration in law and order.
