Police begin probe after alleged fire attempt and anti-Muslim slogan found; community leaders stress harmony and reject efforts to incite hatred
MUMBAI – An incident in the city’s Vikhroli Park Site has raised alarm over attempts to spoil the communal atmosphere after Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations concluded peacefully. Local residents and social workers allege that miscreants tried to create unrest by starting a fire outside a house and hanging a provocative slogan targeting Muslims.
The complaint was filed by Neeraj Upadhyay, a resident of Upadhyay Housing Society in Varsha Nagar, who claimed that unknown individuals attempted to set his house on fire. He also alleged that a paper with the slogan “Sar Tan Se Juda” written in Hindi was hung on his staircase.
A case has been registered at Vikhroli Park Site Police Station. A video circulating on social media shows the staircase with flames nearby and the placard carrying the slogan. Thankfully, the family inside the house remained unharmed.
Social worker and former head of a human rights organisation, Waris Ali Sheikh, visited the site and strongly questioned the motive behind the act. He said, “There are narrow lanes here. No houses were burnt, yet the video shows fire and a placard with a slogan. This clearly looks like a deliberate mischief to create communal tension. Thankfully, the plan has been foiled in time.”
He further pointed out that the incident came right after the Eid Miladun Nabi procession, which was peaceful. “When people celebrated together without any conflict, such an incident on the same night raises doubts. Mischievous elements want to mislead people, but responsible citizens from both sides understand what is going on. The police investigation will reveal the truth,” he added.
Another resident, Abdul Azim Khan, also expressed concern. “This is a planned attempt to spoil harmony. Earlier, they tried something similar using the name of a mosque and a madrasa, but failed. Now they are planting a slogan that can easily be used to target Muslims. This is mischief, nothing else,” he said.
Senior Inspector Santosh Ghatekar of Park Site Police Station confirmed the complaint and assured a fair probe. He said, “The complainant has registered a case, so an investigation has started. Since the matter is sensitive, we are examining all aspects and will reach the bottom of it. Whoever is found guilty will be punished according to the law.”
Despite attempts to provoke tension, community leaders and residents stressed unity. Locals pointed out that Vikhroli has not witnessed any communal clashes in recent times and that most people refuse to fall for divisive tricks.
As one resident remarked off record, “We live together as neighbours. These outside forces want us to fight, but people here are not interested in hatred.”
The incident remains under police investigation, but the prevailing mood in Vikhroli suggests that residents are determined not to let mischief-makers succeed in dividing Hindus and Muslims.
