An incident involving the desecration of a religious site has sparked outrage in Jabalpur after a man was accused of urinating on a Shivling inside an ancient Shiva temple. The accused, identified as Rizwan Khan, has been arrested by the police and sent to judicial custody.

According to police officials, the incident occurred on February 9 at around 9:30 pm at a Shiva temple located in Chhoti Bajariya, under the jurisdiction of Gadha police station. Rizwan, a resident of Mujawar Mohalla, allegedly entered the temple premises and committed the act, hurting religious sentiments.

When local people noticed the incident, tension erupted in the area and the accused was reportedly confronted. Before the police could reach the spot, he managed to flee. Later, based on identification and investigation, police traced and arrested him.

Police Action and Legal Proceedings

Gadha police have registered a case against the accused under sections 196B, 298, and 299 of the Indian Penal Code. Station House Officer Prasanna Sharma said that strict action is being taken, given the sensitive nature of the case. Preventive measures are also being considered to avoid any further disturbance.

After his arrest, Rizwan Khan was produced before a court and subsequently sent to jail.

Muslim Community Condemns Incident

In a significant development, representatives of the Muslim community in Jabalpur strongly condemned the act. Submitting a memorandum to the police, community leaders clarified that the accused has no association with the community and that his actions are unacceptable.

The memorandum also called for the accused to be socially ostracized and demanded strict legal punishment to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.

Temple Purification and Security Measures

Following the incident, the temple premises and the Shivling were ritually purified. In view of the upcoming Mahashivratri festival, the administration has stepped up security arrangements. Police patrolling has been intensified around temples and other sensitive locations.

Jabalpur Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay appealed to citizens to maintain peace and refrain from spreading or believing rumours. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony would face strict action.