Maharashtra: Scrap shop razed, owner held after son raises 'anti-national' slogans during India-Pakistan match

Bulldozer action was carried out and the scrap shop was demolished. (Image: X/@meNeeleshNRane)

A 15-year-old boy was apprehended and his parents arrested in Malvan in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district after a complaint was received alleging that the boy raised “anti-national” slogans during the India-Pakistan cricket match last Sunday.

Their scrap shop was also demolished by the authorities in Malvan, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Sindhudurg Superintendent of Police Saurabh Agrawal said a man, who was passing by the family’s house around 9.30 pm when the match was still on, alleged that he heard the boy raising “anti-national” slogans.

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In a post on X, Shiv Sena leader Nilesh Rane thanked the civic body and police authorities for their swift response and shared pictures of the bulldozer action that led to the demolition of the scrap shop. He alleged that the “scrap dealer made anti-India comments”.

. . pic.twitter.com/LK1yDPuLa6
Nilesh N Rane (@meNeeleshNRane) February 24, 2025

Promising to “ensure he is eventually thrown out of the district”, Rane said “for now we have destroyed his scrap business”.

According to the SP, the passerby and neighbours confronted the family when they heard the slogans. “This led to a fight between the two sides, following which police were informed. Based on the complaint by a local resident, an FIR was registered. Since the boy is a minor, we sent him to an observation home,” Agrawal said.

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The boy’s parents were arrested and sent to judicial custody. They have been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion),197 (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 3 (5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

On Monday, a motorcycle rally was taken out by local residents against the family, demanding further action. The family, which hails from Uttar Pradesh, moved to Malvan 15 years ago, Indian Express reported.