Nagpur: The police have arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), for his role in the communal riots that broke out in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday evening. The police have claimed that Khan is the prime accused in the case, in which nearly 33 police personnel, including DCP rank officers, were injured.
Khan allegedly instigated a 500-strong mob by spreading false rumours regarding the burning of a copy of the Quran at a gathering of VHP and Bajrang Dal members, who were demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb from Sambhaji Nagar (earlier Aurangabad).
The police had released a photograph of Khan’s on Wednesday morning. He was arrested a few hours later and produced in court. He has been remanded to police custody.
Khan had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections from Nagpur on an MDP ticket. His affidavit reveals that he studied till Class-X and then turned to business. It also came to be known that Khan had three criminal cases pending against him at that time. He apparently got 1,073 votes in the elections.
In its official Facebook page, the MDP claims it is a political party based on the ideology of securing the rights of minorities who are facing ‘ignorance’ in development since years. “We are committed for development and security of all minorities including Muslims, Sikh, Christians, Bodh (sic), Jains and Dalits,” the introduction states.
Though it claims to be a liberal party, a post on ‘X’ after the election results, thanks the ‘Mujahideen’ for voting for its candidates. In Islam, Mujahideen are people who perform Jihad.
