Tension prevailed in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Saturday after a group of Kanwar pilgrims staged a protest in Chandan Nagar, demanding legal action against a cleric over alleged objectionable remarks about Lord Shiva.

The protest, led by Akhil Bharatiya Balai Mahasangh National President Manoj Parmar, saw a large number of devotees gather outside Chandan Nagar Police Station, where they submitted a memorandum seeking registration of an FIR against Maulana Jargis Ansari.

Protest Outside Police Station

The protesters raised slogans outside the police station, alleging that the cleric's purported comments had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and millions of devotees of Lord Shiva.

They urged police to register a case immediately and initiate strict legal action. Representatives of the organisation later handed over a written complaint along with supporting material to police officials.

The demonstrators warned that if prompt action was not taken, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days.

Police Begin Preliminary Verification

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shivendra Joshi said the protest took place while a Kanwar Yatra was passing from Chandan Nagar towards Gangwal.

He confirmed that the complainants had submitted an application alleging that a religious leader from another community had made objectionable remarks about Hindu deities. A video was also submitted along with the complaint.

"The video is being examined to verify where it was recorded and to establish the identity of the person seen in it. Appropriate legal action will be taken after the facts are verified and the findings are placed before senior officers," the ACP said.

Organisers Warn of Larger Agitation

Speaking after submitting the complaint, Manoj Parmar alleged that the remarks made by Maulana Jargis Ansari about Lord Shiva, whom devotees also worship as Mahakal, were offensive and deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.

He said the Kanwar pilgrims, under the guidance of Mahamandaleshwar Nitin Das Maharaj, approached the police seeking immediate registration of an FIR.

According to Parmar, police officials assured the delegation that the matter would be examined, following which the Kanwar Yatra resumed.

However, he warned that if an FIR is not registered and the accused is not arrested, the organisation would launch a larger protest. He said a Kanwar Yatra involving around 5,000 participants is planned for next Monday and further demonstrations, including a possible gherao of the police station or the Superintendent of Police's office, could be organised if no action is taken.

Police have stated that the matter remains under investigation and that any legal action will be based on the outcome of the verification process.