Date:12/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/12/stories/2002101202371200.htm

Other States - Maharashtra

U.S. cleric's remarks spark riots in Solapur

By Mahesh Vijapurkar

MUMBAI Oct. 11. Solapur witnessed violence today, following a bandh called by a Muslim Vikas Parishad, led by Mohd. Sheikh. It was to protest the alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Mohammed by an American Christian clergy some time ago. When protesters gathered they forced some shops owned by Hindus also to shut, sparking arguments. Then stone-throwing and arson incidents followed. Though the trouble abated for some time, the situation worsened after the Friday prayers in mosques.

According to accounts from Solapur, before police arrived on the scene, several shops were torched and police opened fire injuring some half a dozen persons. The focal point was Bijapurvase in the town where some Hindu shopowners refused to oblige the ``frenzied mobs'' and the trouble spread to two police station limits — Jail Road and Begumpet.

Word has spread about desecration of an idol, which police neither confirmed nor denied.

In Begumpet, some pandals erected for Navaratri celebrations were also targeted but rumours spread all over Solapur. Asked about it, Mr. Baghwantrao More, Commissioner of Police, told The Hindu over telephone ``some pandals were burnt but I have to confirm if more damage was done.'' That a protest against a Christian cleric's reported remarks in the U.S. could spark riots in Solapur came as a surprise because the town had been free of even minor incidents.

A former MLA, Prakash Yelgulwar from Solapur, attributed the sudden violence to ``increasing joblessness in a urban area'' and free involvement of youth in the trouble ``from both sides.''

A similar bandh, called by some organisations here in Mumbai met with a very impressive response from Muslim businesses but it remained peaceful.