In yet another instance of escalating tensions, an Islamist mob took to the streets of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on the night of October 19, chanting the notorious slogan “Sar Tan Se Juda” (beheading) after allegations of blasphemy surfaced against a Hindu man. The accused had allegedly posted an objectionable comment about the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, sparking outrage within the Muslim community. The mob surrounded the local police station, demanding immediate action. Responding to the complaint lodged by the Muslim side, the police arrested the accused late at night. Authorities have since reported that the situation is under control.
UP: ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ mob hits streets again! This time in #Muzaffarnagar
With allegations of blasphemy against a man who allegedly posted objectionable content about the founder of Islam, a Muslim mob surrounded the police station, chanting for his beheading. The police… pic.twitter.com/jwoVi0Pwhl
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) October 20, 2024
The Muzaffarnagar police issued a social media update confirming the arrest. Their statement read, “In the jurisdiction of Budhana police station, a young man shared an offensive post on social media that targeted another community. Following appeals from senior officials to maintain peace, the demonstrators have been dispersed. Presently, traffic is running smoothly, and law and order have been restored.”
Speaking to the media, the Superintendent of Police (SP) elaborated on the incident, explaining that the social media post in question had hurt the religious sentiments of a specific community. The police acted promptly, arresting the accused within 20 minutes of receiving the complaint.
He added, that during the investigation, a rumour began circulating that the police had released the accused, causing a large crowd to gather at the station. However, officers managed to quell the unrest by clarifying the situation to the crowd. To further reassure the public, the police conducted a flag march in the area, signalling a return to normalcy.
Spate of cases where ‘Sar tan se juda’ mob hit streets
This is not an isolated event. In recent months, there has been a troubling rise in incidents where Muslim mobs have taken to the streets, chanting slogans calling for beheading in response to perceived insults to Islam. Between September and October 2024 alone, three such incidents have been reported, with authorities often responding to the demands of these mobs.
On September 16, during the Barawafat procession in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, a mob chanted “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans near a Hindu temple. A video from the procession went viral, showing participants shouting “Gustakh-e-Nabi ki Ek Saza, Sar Tan Se Juda” (The only punishment for insulting the Prophet is beheading). The incident occurred in front of the Bharatbhari temple, prompting an immediate investigation by the Siddharthnagar Police after the video gained traction online.
Sar tan se juda slogans raised outside Shiv Mandir:
Case from Siddharth Nagar, UP where a procession was taken out on Milad-Un-Nabi. As soon as it reached Bharatbhari Shiv Mandir the Muslims began raising provocative slogans including “Sar tan se Juda”
Why? What Gustakhi did… pic.twitter.com/lTAbVPd00q
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) September 19, 2024
A similar situation unfolded in Ghaziabad on September 29, when tensions flared following remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, the head of Dasna Temple, during a public event at Hindi Bhavan in Lohia Nagar. The mob, angered by what they considered blasphemy, raised “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans, calling for the beheading of the pujari. A video of Yati’s speech quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), further inflaming the situation.
Friday frenzy mob hits street against Dasna mahant Yati Narsinghsnand, why?
Once again, the so-called fact-checker has shared a chopped clip of Yati, accusing him of blasphemy.
These zombies went on street with chants of ‘sar tan se juda.’ The UP Police has lodged an FIR… pic.twitter.com/CzEUvF4nW7
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) October 5, 2024
In early October, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, witnessed another alarming case. A heated exchange between a 14-year-old Hindu boy and a Muslim boy over the entry of burqa-clad women into temples escalated into a major incident. The Muslim boy shared a video of Salman Azhari, along with insults directed at Hindu gods and goddesses. In response, the Hindu boy engaged in a back-and-forth, and soon, screenshots of their conversation went viral, leading to accusations of blasphemy against the Hindu minor. Despite an apology video recorded at the request of Islamic religious leaders, a mob of over 1,000 gathered outside the Hindu boy’s house that same night, chanting “Sar Tan Se Juda” and demanding his beheading. The situation further escalated when the mob assaulted a police officer who had arrived to calm tensions, resulting in another FIR being filed against the 1,000-strong crowd for disrupting traffic and obstructing police duties.
‘Sar tan se Juda’ mob hits the streets again in UP’s Bahraich:
A 14-year-old Hindu boy and a Muslim boy had a heated conversation over the entry of burqa-clad women into temples. During the exchange of messages and videos, the Muslim boy sent a clip of Salman Azhari and also… pic.twitter.com/l85fIbsT5Q
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) October 10, 2024
The increasing frequency of such incidents has led to growing demands for stronger legal measures to curb the violent rhetoric and street demonstrations that call for beheadings. Many citizens are now calling for a dedicated law to address this rising trend, emphasising the need for stricter enforcement to prevent such mobs from taking the law into their own hands.
