After two men were arrested for allegedly triggering a blast with explosives at a mosque in Ardha Masla village, lawyers and members of the Muslim community have asked why the police have not charged the accused with the anti-terrorism law.
The explosion on Saturday night damaged a section of the shrine in the village in the Beed district. The Talwada police station has registered a First Information Report against the accused, Vijay Gavhane and Shriram Sagde, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. The charges relate to damaging a place of worship, outraging religious feelings, and making and possessing explosive substances.
However, lawyers have asked why the two have not been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The law is for acts of terror.
Supreme Court lawyer, Javed Shaikh, said the blast in Beed was an act of terrorism. “It is a fit case for the application of UAPA. In the past, governments have charged activists from the Popular Front of India under sections of the UAPA for taking out rallies. In this case, there was an explosion,” said Shaikh.
Muslims said that the incessant incidents of communal conflict have become a deep concern. “I have a shop in a textile market where 70% of the traders are Marwaris and other Hindus; others are Muslims. I am worried about these incidents affecting my business and my life. First, there was a dispute over Aurangzeb’s tomb. Then there is the Bhayandar dargah issue. Now there is a blast in Beed,” said Aslam Malkani, a Dongri resident. “Even mainstream politicians are involved in inciting communal tensions with their speeches.”
Muslim leaders said the incident has caused concern in the community, especially since one of the accused had boasted about his role in the blast without any fear of the law. Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi, said in a message on ‘X’ that the accused was confident of being treated as a hero. The masjid suffered grave damage and the attack has shaken the Muslims of the village, said Owaisi, who asked why the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had applied the ‘weak’ sections of BNS and IEA and not UAPA? “Are they not terrorists? Will these accused get bulldozer justice? Will they be made to pay compensation for rebuilding the mosque?” he asked.
Member of Legislative Assembly, Abu Asim Azmi said that the people of Maharashtra are questioning the government as to why minor charges have been slapped on the accused. “Is justice being served based on religion in Maharashtra? When will bulldozers run over the houses of these terrorists? Our demand is that this case should be handed over to the NIA and ATS, and those responsible for this incident should be exposed and dealt with severely,” said Azmi while appealing Muslims of Beed to maintain peace and spoil their relationships with Hindus.Advocate A K Pathan asked whether the government will investigate if there was a conspiracy behind the attack. “Somebody is working in the background because they do not want communal harmony. Will there be an impartial investigation?”.
