A heated protest erupted in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh after a politician’s controversial statement triggered outrage within the Muslim community.

The incident took place in Bulandshahr district on October 4.

Visuals showed late-night scenes of chaos in Bulandshahr as angry protesters ran through the streets, appearing furious. Some appeared to be hurling stones at the police, heightening tension among local residents.

According to reports, Mahant Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati’s statement from Ghaziabad sparked the protest after Friday prayers in the Secunderabad Kotwali area. Furious demonstrators shouted slogans and threw stones at a police team and a passing roadways bus. The district’s DM and SSP, along with heavy police presence, reached the scene and successfully calmed the situation after talking to religious leaders. Eight people were detained, and an investigation is ongoing. Officials assured that peace now prevails, with the area sectioned into zones and heavy police deployment in place. Strict surveillance is also being maintained on social media, with action promised against rumor-mongers.

Bulandshahr SSP Shlok Kumar confirmed the police had been targeted by stone-pelting, and steps are being taken based on CCTV footage and viral videos to identify more culprits.