Jabalpur: ‘Derogatory’ comments made against the Jain community have caused tension

Jabalpur: A little argument at a well-known confectionery in the Kamaniya Gate neighborhood of Jabalpur turned into a huge disturbance, sparking protests from the Jain community and a police lathi-charge to break up the gathering.

The incident started on Friday night at the famous Sweet store, which is situated under the Kotwali police station jurisdiction close to the ancient Kamaniya Gate.

Local businessman Rajkumar Jain, the complainant, said that he went to the store with his parents and other family members to make purchases.

He got into a fight with the store manager after complaining that an appetizing dish was served cold. When the manager reportedly phoned employees, the situation rapidly worsened and Jain’s family was verbally abused.

More seriously, “objectionable and derogatory remarks” were allegedly made against the Jain community as a whole, according to the police.

A violent incident resulted with Jain and his friends confronting the staff after becoming enraged by the comments.

The area’s close-knit Jain community quickly learned about the occurrence. Hundreds of people gathered outside the store in a matter of minutes, shouting slogans calling for swift punishment against the offenders.

As the gathering became unruly, several people tried to break inside the store and confront the participants. Police officers from more than five stations intervened to stop the situation from becoming worse and to restore order.

Authorities deployed a moderate lathi charge as emotions increased and the demonstrators refused to disperse. Community members who said the demonstration was nonviolent and accused the police of being biased said that a number of individuals, including young children, had minor injuries.Based on Rajkumar Jain’s report, a formal complaint has been filed, and an investigation is under progress. An FIR has been filed against the proprietor of the sweet store and two other people, and three people have been arrested in connection with the matter,” police authorities said.

Leaders of the Jain community denounced the purported comments, seeing them as an assault on religious feelings. They criticized the lathi charge as being too harsh and insisted that there was no vandalism.

According to police officers, the measure was required to keep the crowd under control and stop bloodshed.

According to reports, a Sub-Inspector level officer was hurt, but the authorities said they were still awaiting medical findings.

To keep the peace, more troops are still stationed there. By early morning, the once-bustling business center of Kamaniya Gate had calmed down.