In a controversial incident that has sparked widespread outrage, Congress leader Asad Khan Jilani from Sironj in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district has been arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Bharat Mata on social media.
The remarks were made in response to a post featuring a government-issued commemorative coin marking the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The coin displays a symbolic representation of Bharat Mata, which Jilani criticised in a Facebook comment.
Congress leader Asad Khan Jilani from Vidisha, used the Dayan word for Bharat Mata.
MP Police gave him lesson for life. pic.twitter.com/i3n5M2YuQ8
— Lala (@LalaXd) October 5, 2025
In his post, Jilani wrote: “इस डायन की पूजा पिशाच करें। जिसके हाथ में तिरंगा नहीं, वह हमारी भारत माता नहीं।” (“Let demons worship this witch. One who does not hold the tricolour is not our Bharat Mata.”)
The comment quickly went viral, drawing severe criticism from Hindu organisations and social media users, who accused him of disrespecting national symbols and attempting to incite communal discord.
Groups, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), lodged formal complaints at the Sironj police station, demanding strict action under relevant laws, including sedition. They also alleged that Jilani had a history of making provocative statements online. Following the public outcry, local authorities took swift action and arrested Jilani. Investigations are currently underway. The Congress party has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Widespread public outrage over Congress leader Asad Khan Jilani’s remarks about Bharat Mata escalated on Thursday, as street protests broke out in Sironj, Madhya Pradesh. Demonstrators burned an effigy of Jilani and stomped on his photograph while chanting slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and demanding harsh punishment for “traitors.”
Videos circulated on social media showed growing crowds gathering outside the Sironj police station, urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further unrest. One user on X (formerly Twitter), tagging local officials, highlighted Jilani’s alleged history of making “anti-Hindu” posts and called for his immediate arrest to preserve communal harmony.
Responding to multiple complaints, including one from local resident Chakreshwar Dayal Srivastava, who had originally shared the image of the commemorative coin, Sironj police registered a case against Jilani under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to deliberately outraging religious sentiments.
Authorities tracked Jilani near Shamshabad, where he was reportedly attempting to flee, and took him into custody late Thursday evening. In a highly dramatic and controversial turn of events, police officers paraded the 45-year-old leader through the streets of Sironj. Jilani was seen holding his ears in a traditional posture of public apology, while being compelled to repeatedly chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” Eyewitness videos widely shared on X show Jilani surrounded by police as he complies with the public display, drawing both criticism and support online.
Station House Officer (SHO) Vimalesh Rai confirmed the arrest of Asad Khan Jilani, stating that the action was necessary to respect public sentiment and maintain peace in the region. Jilani was produced before the local court on Saturday, where his bail plea was rejected. The court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody. Meanwhile, police have launched a broader investigation, examining Jilani’s social media history for previous instances of inflammatory or offensive content.
In a separate development, fresh complaints have emerged alleging that Jilani and his family illegally occupied land originally allotted to Dalit families by the government. Authorities have initiated a parallel probe into the land encroachment allegations.
