Akola Violence: VFX animator Arbaz held for sharing ‘edited’ blasphemous post against ‘Mohammad’ that led to riots

Following the violence over an alleged blasphemous Instagram post in the Akola district of Maharashtra, police arrested Arbaz Khan on May 20. Arbaz Khan is a second-year VFX animation student and was booked for inciting the violence which lead to the death of one person and left many injured.

Notably, violent clashes broke out in the Akola. Organiser reported on May 15 that, the clashes broke out following an Instagram post, allegedly making derogatory remarks about the founder of Islam. Following an argument there began stone pelting, creating a ruckus on the streets. Police took control of the streets and section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in the town.

Now it has been revealed in the investigation that, Khan’s controversial post had gone viral on Instagram, which is said to be the root cause of the communal clash in which over 100 people were arrested. The police have also accused Arbaaz of circulating his post and illegally gathering a crowd at Ramdas Peth police station which led to a sensitive situation.

The police have also arrested a person from the Ganganagar area of Akola for circulating the controversial post through a fake Instagram account.

Khan was the main complainant in the case at Ramdas Peth police station and came there with a huge crowd, but became untraceable after filing the complaint, making himself a prime suspect. He hails from the Mohata Mill area of Akola City and has been studying in Mumbai for the past two years.

Following the arson and vandalism, the police registered an FIR against as many as 120 miscreants. The attack left one dead and several injured. The dead person was identified as 40-year-old electrician, Vilas Gaikwad, a resident of Hariharpeth in Akola. Vilas put up a status supporting the film, ‘The Kerala Story’. However, the Muslim side accused his post had made derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and falls under blasphemy, reported Times of India.

A few years ago, several members of the banned youth organisation SIMI were arrested from Akola. The police, however, refrained from making any comments regarding whether there was any link between the incidents or whether the police are investigating in the right direction. “We are still investigating the case and cannot reveal further details at the moment,” said Superintendent of Police Sandip Ghuge.