Town in India’s Ratlam on Edge As Police Act on Quran Desecration Incident
Tension prevailed in Ratlam’s Jaora town after allegations emerged that the Islamic holy book was burned in the Hussain Tekri area. Members of the Muslim community staged protests, surrounded the Industrial Area police station, and demanded immediate action. Following the agitation, police registered a case against a retired teacher Atia Khan.
According to police, the incident occurred around 1:30 pm on Thursday behind an imambara located on Rozaana Road in the Hussain Tekri area. The accused has been identified as Atia Khan, a retired teacher and resident of the same locality. She has been accused of burning religious books, including the Quran.
After news of the alleged act spread, members of the Muslim community gathered at the Industrial Area police station and demanded strict action. When no immediate case was registered, they intensified their protest. Office-bearers of the Seerat Committee and hundreds of local residents participated in the protest.
Following the protests, police registered an FIR on the complaint of Shaheen Hussain, a resident of Jail Road. The case has been filed against Atia Khan under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
According to the Industrial Area Police Station in-charge Vikram Singh Chauhan, as per the complainant, Atia was seen burning religious books near the Ajakhana Zehra area in Hussain Tekri, and one of the books was allegedly the Quran. A local resident, Anwar Ali, reportedly reached the spot and attempted to extinguish the fire.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the woman fled the scene carrying the partially burnt copy of the Quran, while remnants of the burnt books were collected by people present at the site.
Police officials said the case has been taken up for investigation, and statements of witnesses are being recorded. Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace and cooperate with the investigation as the situation remains sensitive.
Source: bhaskarenglish.in
