Sat May 17 07:04:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

Muslim organizations in Belagavi district, Karnataka, held large protests on May 16, 2025, in response to the alleged desecration of holy books, including the Quran, in Santi Bastawad village. Protesters marched, chanted slogans, and submitted a petition demanding the arrest and punishment of those responsible. Traders closed shops in solidarity. Local political leaders condemned the act and called for swift action. Police imposed prohibitory orders and deployed a large force to maintain order.

**News Article:**

**Belagavi, Karnataka: Muslim Organizations Protest Desecration of Holy Books**

**Belagavi, May 17, 2025** – Thousands of members of various Muslim organizations took to the streets of Belagavi and other towns in Karnataka’s Belagavi district yesterday, May 16th, to protest the alleged desecration of holy books, including the Quran, in Santi Bastawad village.

The protests were sparked by reports that unidentified individuals had stolen the holy books from a local mosque and burned them in a nearby field. A massive rally took place in Belagavi, with similar demonstrations in Hukkeri and other towns.

Protesters gathered in front of the Anjuman ground near Kittur Rani Channamma Circle, chanting slogans such as “Nara Taqdeer, Allahu Akbar” and expressing their solidarity with India and Islam. They carried flags and placards demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. A petition demanding strict punishment for the offenders was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

In a show of solidarity, traders voluntarily closed shops along major roads in Belagavi. The protest caused significant traffic disruptions for approximately two hours.

MLA Asif Sait, youth leader Aman Sait, and other local officials participated in the protest, condemning the desecration and calling for swift legal action. “What has happened is unforgivable,” said Mr. Sait, noting that the Police Commissioner had promised to arrest the accused within a week. He also acknowledged the recent suspension of a police officer for negligence in connection with an earlier desecration case in the same village.

City Police Commissioner Iada Martin Marbaniang imposed prohibitory orders in the central business district as a precautionary measure. Approximately 3,000 officers were deployed to maintain order. While the rally was largely peaceful, a minor altercation between some young protestors and police officers was quickly diffused by senior officers.

In Hukkeri, eleven organizations joined the protest, echoing the demand for justice and government action to prevent future incidents.

The investigation into the desecration is ongoing. Local leaders have appealed to the community to remain peaceful and cooperate with the police.

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