Two men were allegedly forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" in Aurangabad city of Maharashtra by some unidentified persons, triggering tension in the area, police said Monday.
This is the second such incident in the city in the last few days.
Security has been stepped up in the city following the incident, a police official said.
Shaikh Amer, working with food ordering app Zomato, and his friend Shaikh Nasir were waiting to hire an auto-rickshaw in Azad Chowk area on Sunday night when four to five men in a car allegedly intercepted the duo, abused them and threatened to kill them if they did not chant "Jai Shri Ram", he said.
The two men, out of fear, then chanted "Jai Shri Ram".
Four persons have been arrested by the police in the case, IANS reported. Investigating Officer Madhukar Sawant said the accused will be produced in court on Monday.
Earlier, PTI had quoted Aurangabad Commissioner of Police Chiranjeev Prasad as saying: "A complaint has been received about two youth being forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' by four to five men in a car.."
The situation is under control, he said, and urged residents to help the police in maintaining law and order.
Last Friday, a hotel employee, Imran Ismail Patel, was allegedly thrashed by a group of unidentified persons and forced to chant "Jai Shri Ram" near Hudco Corner in Begumpura area of the city.
Incidents of members of the minority community being cornered and forced to say "Jai Shri Ram" or 'Hail Lord Ram' have been reported recently from various parts of the country, including Thane in Maharashtra.
(With Agency Inputs)
