Mumbai News: Banner Featuring Iranian Leader Sparks Tension During Muharram Procession In Mazgaon; FIR Filed Against Six

A banner featuring Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was displayed at a community stall during a Muharram procession sparked tensions in Mazgaon on Sunday evening. Following the incident, the Byculla police have filed an FIR against six individuals and several unidentified persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.

According to the FIR, complaint filed by PSI Sanjay Sathe, the incident occurred on July 6 during the Muharram procession, which traditionally moves from Hancock Bridge to the Qabrastan. Around 5:30 PM, Sabeel-e-Shohada ANFAAL Foundation (Mazgaon), had set up a stall distributing food and water to participants of the procession.

Police observed a 4x10-foot banner on the left side of the stall that featured a photo of Ayatollah Khamenei. Upon inquiry, the individuals running the stall were unable to produce any official permission to display the banner. Authorities cited concerns that the banner could provoke religious sensitivities and potentially disturb public order, police instructed the group to remove it.

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Six individuals—identified as Ali Abbas (55), Altaf Sayed, Sadiq Himani (21), Hasan Abbas (25), Mohsin Abbas, and Owais Dhanji (38)—allegedly opposed the removal. Shortly after, a crowd of 10 to 15 others reportedly joined them, raising slogans and refusing to comply with the police directive, leading to a brief period of tension.

The police eventually managed to de-escalate the situation and removed the banner. An FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 189(2) (causing public mischief), Section 221 (disobedience to public authority), and Section 223 (promoting enmity between groups).

Further investigation is underway.