Tensions Rise in Karnataka's Belagavi Over Burning of Holy Books

Incident Sparks Outrage in Belagavi

In Belagavi district, Karnataka, unrest unfolded after the discovery of burnt pages from sacred texts in Santi Bastawad village on Monday. Reports indicate that the situation escalated following this incident.

On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang announced that five investigative teams have been established to delve into the case. He mentioned, “We have gathered some leads and will pursue the investigation further.”

The alarming event was uncovered when worshippers noticed that several prayer books, including the Quran, were missing from the mosque's bookshelf. This prompted immediate concern among the community.

Marbaniang noted that charred pages of these holy texts were located in a nearby agricultural field adjacent to the mosque. Elders from the community discovered the burnt pages and promptly alerted law enforcement.

Following the discovery, protests erupted across various locations within the Belagavi taluk. Demonstrators attempted to march towards the city to present a memorandum to local authorities. However, they were met by Marbaniang and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohan Jagadeesh, who assured them that legal measures would be taken.

State minister Satish Jarkiholi also called for calm among residents, promising that swift action would be initiated once the individuals responsible were identified.