Zaid Pathan, a Muslim activist and outspoken opponent of Madhya Pradesh’s “bulldozer justice,” was arrested in Khargone district on Monday, August 15 under the National Security Act (NSA).
Manish Singh, an Indore collector, told APNlive.com that he was detained for creating hatred amongst groups of people, upsetting intergroup relations, stirring up religious feelings, and publishing offensive content on social media.
According to Singh, the charges against Pathan were registered at Banganga Police Station in Indore and Khargone Police Station.
Pathan, who is also well-known as a community leader, had spoken out against the Madhya Pradesh local government’s use of bulldozers to tear down Muslim houses.
Following reports of violence during the Ram Navami processions in Khargone, the local government began demolishing buildings and shops, many of which were owned by poor Muslim families. Up to 80 persons were detained.
On Twitter, a number of activists expressed their opinions about Pathan’s detention and demanded his quick release. One of the activists claimed that Pathan had come under attack ever since he spoke out against the Khargone administration’s demolition of Muslim-owned buildings.