The mob shouted "Jai Shri Ram" slogans!
Bengaluru: On Wednesday evening, a mob that was part of a Dussehra procession in Karnataka's Bidar allegedly broke into a heritage madrasa, shouted slogans and performed a puja in a corner of the building.
A police case has been registered against nine people and four have been arrested so far. Muslim organisations have threatened protests if no one is arrested by Friday.
Built In the 1460s, the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa in Bidar is a designated heritage site under the Archeological Survey of India. The structure is also listed among monuments of national importance.
The mob broke the main lock of the madrasa and entered inside it, the police said.
They shouted "Jai Shri Ram" and "Hindu Dharam Jai" slogans, standing on the steps of the madrassa, before moving to a corner to perform their puja.
Videos circulating online show a huge crowd on the steps, trying to get inside the building.
Several Muslim organisations from Bidar have condemned the incident and held protests. They have threatened a massive protest after Friday prayers if all the accused are not arrested till the prayers.
Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, hit out at the state's ruling BJP over the incident, accusing it of promoting such incidents just to "demean Muslims".
Critics have accused the BJP of turning parts of the state into a crucible for communal experiments.
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