A leading Marathi newspaper group, Lokmat's office was attacked in multiple places in Maharashtra. The copies of the Sunday edition of the newspaper were also burnt at several places because of a 'blasphemous' cartoon which was published in Lokmat's supplement Manthan.
The article titled 'ISIS cha Paisa' (ISIS' money) and its accompanying image irked the members of the Muslim community and hundreds of Muslims in Dhule, Nandurbar, Malegaon and other parts of Maharashtra staged various protests.
An FIR was also registered against the cartoonist and the editor of the newspaper.
However, the editor of the newspaper later extended an immediate apology for the cartoon and assured that action will be taken against those responsible for the publication of the particular cartoon.
Following the massive protests, security has been increased in all the Lokmat offices across Maharashtra. A top Maharashtra Police official. Security at all the Lokmat offices across Maharashtra has been beefed up.
“We are monitoring the situation and we request the people to help us maintain peace,” a top Maharashtra Police official said.
People also took on social media to comment on the protests:
