Bilaspur man Thakur Ram Singh accused of posting an inflammatory video, calling Indian Muslims traitors and urging their deportation
BILASPUR – Police in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district have registered a case against a member of a local Hindu organisation for allegedly celebrating the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by distributing sweets and posting a video filled with abusive language against Muslims.
The accused, identified as Thakur Ram Singh, is said to have shared a video on social media soon after news broke of Khamenei’s martyrdom in a joint US-Israel attack on 28 February. In the clip, he is seen distributing sweets to mark the occasion and using highly offensive words against the Muslim community. He reportedly called Indian Muslims “desh drohi” (traitors) who are trying to weaken the country from within, and urged Hindus to “wake up” and recognise them. He also demanded that they be sent to Muslim-majority countries, even naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his remarks.
The video went viral quickly, sparking anger among the local Muslim community and those who value harmony. Many pointed out that Iran is a friendly nation to India, and the Indian government had already expressed official condolences. On 5 March, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi, signed the condolence book at the Iranian embassy, and conveyed India’s sorrow over the loss.
A community leader said, “Khamenei was the leader of a country India calls a friend. Celebrating his death with sweets and then abusing Muslims here is not just wrong, it hurts religious feelings and disturbs peace. We cannot allow such hate speech to go unchecked.”
After receiving written complaints from Muslim residents and concerned citizens, officers at Sarkanda police station acted promptly. An FIR was filed against Thakur Ram Singh under Section 299 (outraging religious feelings) and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway, including examination of the social media post and related evidence.
A senior police officer stated: “We have taken note of the sensitivity of the matter. The complaint was received, and we registered the case without delay. All aspects, including the video content and its impact, are being looked into carefully. We aim to maintain peace and harmony in the area.”
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim groups in Chhattisgarh, who see it as part of a larger pattern of hate speech targeting the community. They praised the police for swift registration of the FIR, saying it shows that law enforcement can act firmly when religious sentiments are hurt and when actions insult a friendly foreign nation.
This development comes at a time when India has publicly mourned Khamenei’s passing, with official statements highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. Community members have called for strict punishment to send a clear message against such divisive behaviour.
Police have assured that the investigation will be thorough and that steps will be taken to prevent any escalation of tension in Bilaspur. The case remains under active probe, with no arrests reported so far, but officers say further action will follow based on findings.
