A major controversy erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district after a video surfaced showing Islamists in an Eid Milad-un-Nabi bike rally raising inflammatory ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans. The incident, which took place on Thursday, came to light on Friday, sparking tension in the city and prompting swift legal action.
According to eyewitness accounts, the rally began from the Rahatgarh bus stand and passed through Bada Bazaar, Bus Stand, Parkota, before reaching the Tinbatti intersection in Katra Bazaar. It was at this busy junction that some youths in the rally allegedly raised the controversial slogan, “Gustakh-e-Rasool ki ek saza, sar tan se juda-sar tan se juda,” widely condemned for its violent undertones.
The incident immediately drew strong objections from Hindu groups. On September 5, Umesh Saraf of Hindu Jagran Manch filed a complaint at the Kotwali police station, alleging that the sloganeering was a deliberate attempt to disturb communal harmony.
“There is anger in the city over the provocative slogans. Such acts threaten peace and cannot be tolerated. We demand strict action against those responsible,” Saraf said in his complaint.
Following preliminary investigations, the police registered an FIR on Friday evening against Block Congress President Firdaus Qureshi, along with Pamma Kasai, Shahbaz, and other organisers of the rally. Officials confirmed that the accused have been booked under relevant sections pertaining to promoting enmity and disturbing public order.
“Based on video evidence and the complaint received, a case has been registered against the identified individuals. Further investigation is underway to verify the full extent of involvement,” a senior police officer told reporters.
The bike rally, which saw a large participation of youths from Muslim cummunity, was organised as part of Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations. However, the emergence of the video triggered anger among local residents, with Hindu organisations staging protests and demanding exemplary punishment for those raising divisive slogans.
The police have stepped up vigilance in sensitive areas of Sagar to prevent any escalation of tensions.
The slogan ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ has in the past been linked to radical Islamist calls for beheading blasphemers, and its use in public rallies has repeatedly drawn nationwide condemnation.
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