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“Tum logon ko Bharosa hai kya musalmano par? Itne bharose wale to wo log hain nahi, wo jis thali me khate hain usi me chhed krte hain (Do you trust Muslims? They are not trustworthy. They bite the hand that feeds them)”. These communal words targeted towards the Muslim community were uttered by Head Constable Prahlad Dhruve, while resolving a dispute between two communities over the renovation of a dargah, in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district.

On 7th August, a scuffle broke out between two communities over the renovation of a dargah by a man, in the Betul district. The police were called by the people of the area to take cognizance of the situation. Head Constable Prahlad Dhruve reached the spot to solve the issue but the Muslim community alleged that instead of resolving the matter he tried to instigate the Hindu community against Muslims by saying the above-mentioned statements.

The Muslim community was asked to return their homes assuring them of a fair probe in the matter, but Dhruve brainwashed Hindus and told them, “We (Hindus) have to live here, why are you listening to the Muslims, they are not among us”.

Speaking to The Cognate, a local Masoom Khan outlined what happened on the 7th August. “This was a matter of renovation of the dargah and an argument broke out between two parties. To resolve that, somebody called police. Head Constable Prahlad Dhruve reached and asked Muslims to go back to their places and told them that he will look into the matter, believing him, Muslims left. But once they left he started instigating Hindus against Muslims telling them more communal things”.

He said, “Police are meant to maintain law and order, but people like Dhruve are igniting hatred between two peacefully co-existing communities. If the police will also act like this where will we go with our problems?”

The dargah is said to be 65 years old. The area is Hindu majority and Muslims co-exist with them but are less in numbers. People got to know about the communal stance of Head Constable Prahlad Dhruve after his video started circulating through WhatsApp groups in the town.

After his video went viral, a complaint was filed on 11th August demanding strict action against this police officer, by Bhim Sena.

Pankaj Atulkar, State Co-ordinator of Bhim Sena has filed a complaint against Dhruve and his complaint was registered by Betul SP Seemala Prasad.

Atulkar said, “Such people are dangerous for the society, we have filed a complaint against him and we want stringent action against him, so no other person can think of creating a drift between two communities by saying communal things”.

“Dhruve should not be allowed to attain this respectable position of police and should be relieved from his duties”.

Police of the area also confirmed the incident and a probe has been initiated.

SP Seemala Prasad told, “A complaint has been registered against Head Constable Dhruve, he has been line attached. A show-cause notice has also been sent to him, we have taken cognizance of the case. Required action will be taken against him, the investigation is in process.”

This story first appeared on thecognate.com