The youths were asked to remove a banner and stop the activity outside Bilali Mosque in Kurla East after Friday prayers
MUMBAI — Three youths collecting public responses to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by encouraging people to scan a QR code outside Bilali Mosque in Nehru Nagar, Kurla East, were stopped by police personnel after Friday prayers, according to media reports.
The youths, identified as Mohammad Sohail Haleem Shaikh, Ayub Khan and Sahil Younus Khan, were asked to remove the banner and stop the QR code activity. Police personnel also recorded their names and addresses, took their photographs and noted their mobile numbers.
According to Ayan, a youth associated with Raza Academy, the police personnel told the three that they should report to the police station if called. Ayan shared these details with a media representative, who also spoke directly to the youths.
Following the incident, the media representative contacted a police official identified as Manohar Tagde, who had taken the youths’ phone numbers. Tagde described himself as a special officer responsible for collecting intelligence at the local level.
Tagde denied warning or reprimanding the youths or preventing them from carrying out the activity. He said he had only taken their contact numbers and told them to call him if any requirement arose.
The officer also said that another police colleague might have stopped or questioned the youths.
During the conversation, the media representative questioned why the police had intervened when the Maharashtra government itself had invited suggestions and objections from the public on the UCC.
The representative also pointed out that the youths were neither holding a sit-in protest nor organising a procession on the road, activities for which prior police permission might be required.
He asked how members of the public could scan the QR code and convey their views to the government if the police obstructed such an exercise.
Following the complaints, Raza Academy chief Mohammad Saeed Noori contacted Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and raised the matter with him.
According to the information shared by Raza Academy, Bharti responded by saying, “I will look into it.”
There has not been any further response from the Mumbai Police Commissioner or details of any subsequent action.
