A tense situation has erupted in Bahyal village in Gandhinagar district over a provocative social media post, which turned violent after a comment by a local Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader.
Kashmir Media Service reported that the incident began when a Muslim user shared a post with the words “I Love Muhammad (SAWW)”. In response, local VHP leader Hitesh Bankar reposted “I Love Mahadev”, which quickly went viral on WhatsApp and other platforms.
Eyewitnesses said that mobs armed with sticks and stones attacked the village at night, particularly targeting shops and houses owned by Muslims. They pelted stones and set shops and houses on fire.
The administration said that around 100 suspects have been identified and 80 people have been arrested on charges of rioting, arson and breach of public order.
Earlier, 60 people were arrested in the same village for attacking shops and vehicles over similar social media posts.
Analysts say such communal tensions are on the rise in Gujarat over posts and slogans based on religious identity, with social media seen as a major source of immediate incitement.
Authorities are currently investigating whether the violent incident was premeditated and are investigating the source of the inflammatory posts.
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