Over 12,000 muslim protesters march to Mumbai, demanding action against BJP MLA and preacher for hate speech

A large gathering of the Muslim community, led by former Indian MP Imtiaz Jaleel of AIMIM and supported by various political and social groups, assembled at the Mulund toll plaza late Monday evening, attempting to enter Mumbai. The protest was aimed at demanding action against BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and preacher Ramgiri Maharaj over hate speech cases filed against them.

The crowd, reportedly over 12,000 strong, dispersed after submitting a memorandum to the divisional collector and other officials at the scene. The protest march, termed the 'Tiranga Samvidhan Rally,' began in Sambhajinagar, with hundreds of vehicles from across Marathwada joining the rally, reports Times of India.

The group travelled via the Samruddhi Super Expressway, causing significant traffic disruptions, marking the first time the expressway experienced such a jam due to a protest.

Jaleel called for the arrest of Ramgiri Maharaj and Nitesh Rane, accusing them of delivering inflammatory speeches. He also planned to hand copies of the Constitution to members of the ruling Mahayuti alliance and senior police officials. However, the Mumbai police had denied Jaleel permission to enter the city, leading to the deployment of barricades at the Mulund toll naka, a major entry point into Mumbai. More than 3,000 police personnel were stationed across the city, and traffic was rerouted.

According to Times of India, Joint Commissioner of Police Satyanarayan Choudhary, overseeing the situation at the toll plaza, confirmed that the crowd left peacefully after submitting their demands. Around 2,000 vehicles, including those from Dalit and Maratha groups, participated in the protest. Traffic bottlenecks were reported along the Samruddhi Expressway as the convoy made its way towards Mumbai. Police and intelligence teams closely monitored the rally to prevent any escalation.

The Mumbai police had pre-arranged to stop the rally at Mulund and ensure the demonstrators returned without entering the city.

While heading to Mumbai after reaching Mumbra, Jaleel said, "We are going to Mumbai to make a representation to the chief minister and deputy CM (Fadnavis), who also holds charge of the home department. We will remind them that it is their duty to ensure that law prevails. Our protest is against state inaction against Ramgiri Maharaj and Nitesh Rane, who are already booked in several FIRs for inciting communal sentiments and for hate speeches."