As Bengaluru goes to polls on April 18, a video of a group of BJP workers pulling down an Islamic flag hoisted atop a woman’s house has surfaced on social media. The incident happened on April 16 in Bommanahalli when the workers allegedly intimidated the woman and forcibly removed the flag. In the video, they can be also seen forcing her to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ji Jai’.
The video of the incident was tweeted by AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair. In his tweet, he wrote that it was Mohan Raj, a local BJP leader who removed the flag while canvassing for Bangalore South candidate Tejasvi Surya.
Corporator of Bommanahalli Mohan Raj while canvasing for Bangalore South candidate @Tejasvi_Surya intimidates Muslim residents over religious flag. Forcibly removes the flag and askes woman say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
@DCPSouthBCP, Sir FYIpic.twitter.com/qwZSItgtpn— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 16, 2019
According to a report by Deccan Herald, the BJP workers had mistaken the Islamic flag to be a Pakistani flag. After the incident, the woman contacted local Muslim leaders who condemned it. Later, the flag was returned to her by BJP workers.
While it is unclear whether the woman has filed any complaint but the police authorities have ‘taken note’ of the incident.
We have taken note of this video. We have brought it to the attention of Returning officer, South Parliamentary constituency and @dcpsebcb DCP South East Division. Action will be initiated as per law.
— Deputy Commissioner of Police–South (@DCPSouthBCP) April 16, 2019
Muslims in India waving green flags has often invited the ire of Hindutva right-wing groups because of its similarity with the national flag of Pakistan. However, it’s not just Pakistan, many Muslim majority countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iran, Sudan and Libya also have the colour green in their flags. The green colour is significant for the Muslim community, being the favourite colour of Islamic Prophet Muhammad. It is one of the most distinguishable symbols of the Islamic world.
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