On 11 August 2012 a rally at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, called by the Raza Academy and other Muslim groups to protest violence against Muslims in Assam and Myanmar, turned into rioting near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Two young men died, dozens of police officers and several journalists were injured, and media vans, police vehicles and buses were burnt or damaged. Police charge-sheeted 58 people, Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik was moved out on 23 August after criticism of his handling, and in August 2026 UNI reported that the case had still not reached accountability.
Key takeaways
- The Raza Academy and other Sunni groups called the 11 August 2012 Azad Maidan rally to protest the July 2012 violence in Assam and attacks on Muslims in Myanmar; it turned violent in the afternoon outside the ground.
- Two men, aged 22 and 18, died; police said one was shot and one died in a stampede. Injury counts range from 18 in first reports to 92 in the November 2012 charge sheet, which said 76 of the injured were police.
- Rioters burnt TV broadcast vans and damaged police vehicles and dozens of BEST buses, defaced the Amar Jawan memorial at Azad Maidan, and, according to police, molested women constables and took police weapons.
- The Raza Academy apologised the next day and said outsiders had taken advantage of the rally. Police called the violence "pre-planned" and credited their restraint with preventing worse bloodshed.
- The Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS blamed Commissioner Arup Patnaik and Home Minister R.R. Patil. After an MNS march on 21 August, the state replaced Patnaik with Satyapal Singh on 23 August.
- In the same weeks, rumours and doctored images led thousands of people from the Northeast to leave Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and other cities. The Centre banned bulk SMS for 15 days and blocked 245 web pages.
- A 3,384-page charge sheet was filed in November 2012. UNI reported in August 2026 that penalties were unserved and accountability absent 14 years later. No trial verdict has been reported.
Background: Assam and Myanmar
Ethnic violence broke out in Assam's Kokrajhar district in July 2012 between Bodos and Muslims. CNN reported that at least 80 people had died and more than 300,000 had been displaced by late August CNN. Al Jazeera, citing police and district officials, dated the start to 20 July, when unidentified men killed four youths in Kokrajhar Al Jazeera.
The Raza Academy, a Mumbai-based Sunni organisation founded in 1978, called a public meeting at Azad Maidan for Saturday 11 August, during Ramzan. Other groups joined, including the Sunni Jamiatul Ulema and Jamaat-e-Raza-e-Mustafa Gulf News IANS via Ummid. Organiser Ahmed Raza of the NGO Madina-tul-Ilm told IANS that they had expected about 2,000 people and "ordered only 1,500 chairs" IANS via Ummid.
What happened on 11 August
The turnout far exceeded what the organisers had declared. Estimates vary widely: about 15,000 (Commissioner Patnaik, as reported by Gulf News), over 20,000 (Khaleej Times), over 25,000 (Additional Commissioner Krishna Prasad), over 40,000 (sources quoted by Deccan Herald) and over 50,000 (police sources quoted by IANS in December 2012) Gulf News Khaleej Times IANS via Ummid Deccan Herald IANS via Ummid.
Speeches and photographs
Patnaik said that evening that some people in the crowd circulated provocative photographs of people killed or injured in Assam and Myanmar, and that a section of protesters, provoked by them, set vehicles on fire and threw stones Gulf News. Khaleej Times reported that some speakers gave provocative speeches Khaleej Times.
Violence outside the ground
Groups came out of the ground and attacked police and journalists. Three TV broadcast vans were set on fire Al Jazeera. IANS put the final count at 49 BEST buses damaged, 12 police vans vandalised and 50 private vehicles torched IANS via Gulf Times. Harbour line suburban trains were halted for over an hour Gulf News.
Memorial defaced, policewomen attacked
The Amar Jawan memorial at Azad Maidan was defaced Newslaundry. The memorial, unveiled in 2009, honours two sepoys killed in 1857; a 19-year-old was later arrested after police identified him from a Mid-Day photographer's pictures BOOM. Claim · Police Police said women constables were molested and three weapons, including two automatic rifles, were taken, and one constable was dragged away and beaten IANS via Ummid.
Firing and two deaths
Police used batons and tear gas and fired, first in the air according to early reports PTI via Assam Tribune Al Jazeera. Khaleej Times reported that police first caned the rioters, then warned them, and finally opened fire Khaleej Times. Two injured men died at St George Hospital. Additional Commissioner Prasad said Mohammed Umer, 22, was shot dead and Altaf Sheikh, 18, was killed in a stampede; both were from Bandra IANS via Ummid.
Control restored
State Reserve Police and Rapid Action Force contingents brought the area under control. Home Minister R.R. Patil, who rushed back from western Maharashtra, said: "The situation is very much now control. I appeal to people in the city to maintain calm and not to lend credence to rumours" Gulf News.
How many were hurt
Counts grew as information came in. PTI first reported 14 to 16 injured; Al Jazeera, citing police, reported 13 officers and 5 protesters; IANS the next day said about 100, including 45 policemen PTI via Assam Tribune Al Jazeera IANS via Ummid. The charge sheet filed in November 2012 listed 92 injured: 76 policemen, 2 fire brigade officers and 4 journalists PTI via Business Standard.
Both accounts
Organisers' account
Raza Academy general secretary Mohammed Saeed said on the day: "While we were protesting, some people got aggressive and started behaving violently. We never encourage violence and strongly condemn such acts" Al Jazeera, citing ToI. On 12 August president Mohammed Saeed Noori offered an "unconditional apology" to the media and city residents on behalf of the Academy and about 20 other Sunni groups, said they felt "deeply ashamed", and said "Some mischief mongers have taken advantage of the situation" IANS via Gulf Times.
Police and government account
Additional Commissioner Krishna Prasad called the violence "pre-planned", saying at least one group arrived with nail-studded sticks and iron rods, and singled out two aggressive groups from Kurla and Deonar. "Despite the tense situation, we did not become trigger-happy. Otherwise, there would have been a holocaust," he said. He also admitted that "our intelligence network missed out" and blamed organisers for poor crowd estimates IANS via Ummid. The police remand application described the violence as "pre-planned and pre-meditated" IANS via Gulf Times. Police sources told Khaleej Times that the organisers "had nothing to do with the riots" Khaleej Times.
Government's position The state government directed police to investigate Khaleej Times. Joint Commissioner (Crime) Himanshu Roy said a special team would study CCTV footage and speeches, and that police intended, under the amended Bombay Police Act, to make the Raza Academy and key perpetrators pay compensation. Leaders across parties met Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over the intelligence failure Deccan Herald. The Editors Guild of India condemned the attacks on journalists IANS via Gulf Times, and the National Commission for Women took suo motu cognizance of the assault on women police staff NCW.
The commissioner's restraint and his transfer
Patnaik defended his approach, saying it was vital that police exercise restraint in such a situation IANS via Ummid. The Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS accused him of failing to curb the violence and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Patil. NCP state chief Madhukar Pichad, whose party held the home portfolio, said: "The entire state government has failed in maintaining a law and order situation." Asked whether he would resign, Patnaik said: "I am a government employee. I will be fine with whatever post I have been assigned" IANS via Ummid.
On 23 August a home department official said Patnaik had been moved out, and Satyapal Singh, a 1980-batch IPS officer, was named commissioner IANS via Assam Tribune. A commentary on Ummid noted that the government described the move as a routine promotion, and questioned what message the transfer sent to the police force Ummid.
The MNS counter-rally, 21 August
Police refused the MNS permission for a procession from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan but allowed a rally at the ground, and deployed over 12,000 personnel Agencies via Ummid. Raj Thackeray marched anyway on 21 August, defying the police IANS via Assam Tribune. Oneindia put the gathering at almost one lakh; no official count was reported Oneindia.
Claim · Raj Thackeray At Azad Maidan he blamed Bangladeshi infiltrators for the violence, held up what he claimed was a passport found at the venue, and demanded that Patil and Patnaik resign IANS via Deccan Herald. No evidence The charge sheet and police statements in the sources reviewed here do not identify any accused as a foreign national. Patil called the demand for his resignation "a political one, which I will not accept" Oneindia. A constable who climbed the stage to give Thackeray a rose was found guilty of indiscipline and lost three years of increments Oneindia.
The Northeast exodus
From 15 August, rumours that people from the Northeast would be attacked after Eid, in revenge for the Assam violence, set off a rush to leave Bengaluru CS Monitor IANS via Business Today. Officials said more than 15,000 left the city in two days, and the Railways sold 9,718 tickets for two special trains to Guwahati in one night PTI via Governance Now. People also left Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai CNN.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Home Minister R. Ashoka published assurances of safety, and minister S. Suresh Kumar said people were leaving out of "anxiety to be with their parents" PTI via Governance Now. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Parliament: "What is at stake is the unity of our country. What is at stake is communal harmony" CS Monitor.
Government's position The Centre banned bulk SMS and MMS for 15 days and blocked 245 web pages. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said "elements based in Pakistan" had circulated false pictures CNN, and Home Secretary R.K. Singh said the morphed images came in "bulk" from Pakistan IANS via Assam Tribune. Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik said he would investigate only if India provided evidence CNN. Bengaluru police arrested 16 people for assault and spreading rumours IANS via Assam Tribune.
The criminal case
Police booked the first 23 accused on 12 August for murder, attempt to murder, molestation, attacking police, theft of government weapons and unlawful assembly IANS via Gulf Times. On 9 November 2012 the Crime Branch filed a 3,384-page charge sheet, with statements of 851 witnesses, before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate P.S. Rathod. By then 63 people had been arrested, five discharged for lack of evidence and 45 granted bail; one juvenile was charged separately. Two accused were charged with conspiring to engineer the riots, four with molesting two women constables, and 3,942 unknown persons were also named. The charges included IPC sections 302, 307 and 120B, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act PTI via Business Standard.
PTI's report counts 58 accused; IANS and the Free Press Journal give 57. On 3 December 2012 police arrested organiser Ahmed Raza, already named in the charge sheet, on charges including murder, conspiracy and rioting IANS via Ummid Free Press Journal.
Outcome
- Deaths: 2 men from Bandra, aged 22 and 18, per police.
- Injuries: 92 in the charge sheet, including 76 police and 4 journalists. Early reports ranged from 14 to about 100.
- Damage: Rs 2.74 crore, of which Rs 33.4 lakh was government property, per the charge sheet.
- Arrests: 63 by 20 October 2012, plus organiser Ahmed Raza in December.
- Charge sheet: 58 accused, 3,384 pages, filed 9 November 2012.
- Officials: Commissioner Arup Patnaik moved out on 23 August 2012. Home Minister R.R. Patil rejected calls to resign.
- Wider fallout: Northeast exodus from southern cities; 15-day bulk SMS ban; 245 web pages blocked.
Where it stands now
On 11 August 2026, UNI reported that the pursuit of justice "remains stalled at the starting line", citing "unserved penalties, unverified addresses, and a complete absence of judicial accountability" UNI. No trial verdict, conviction or acquittal in the main case has been reported in mainstream outlets reviewed for this page. Photos from the riot keep resurfacing with false context: BOOM and The Quint have debunked posts presenting them as anti-CAA protests in 2019 and as a pro-Gaza rally in 2023 BOOM The Quint.
Questions people ask
What happened at Azad Maidan on 11 August 2012?
A rally called by the Raza Academy and other Muslim groups to protest violence in Assam and Myanmar turned violent. Police and journalists were attacked, vehicles burnt and the Amar Jawan memorial defaced. Two men died and dozens were injured, mostly police.
How many people died in the Azad Maidan violence?
Two. Police said one man, 22, was shot and another, 18, died in a stampede. Both were from Bandra.
Who organised the Azad Maidan rally?
The Raza Academy, with other Sunni groups. It apologised the next day and said outsiders had exploited the rally. Organiser Ahmed Raza was arrested in December 2012.
Why was Arup Patnaik transferred?
He was moved out on 23 August 2012 after the Shiv Sena, BJP and MNS criticised his handling of the riot. He said restraint was vital; the government called the move a routine promotion.
Was the Azad Maidan violence linked to the Northeast exodus?
Both followed the July 2012 Assam violence. The exodus from Bengaluru and other cities was driven by rumours and doctored images. The Centre said much of that content came from Pakistan; Pakistan asked for evidence.
What is the status of the Azad Maidan riot case?
A charge sheet against 58 accused was filed in November 2012. UNI reported in August 2026 that accountability was still absent, and no verdict has been reported.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Deaths reported at Indian protests, 11 Aug 2012
- PTI via Assam Tribune: 2 killed in Mumbai, protest turns violent, 11 Aug 2012
- Gulf News: Mumbai protests for riots in Assam turn violent, 11 Aug 2012
- IANS via Ummid: Police say they prevented 'holocaust' in Mumbai, 12 Aug 2012
- IANS via Ummid: Raza Academy, Muslim groups apologize for violence, 12 Aug 2012
- IANS via Gulf Times: 23 detained as Mumbai police probe violence, 12 Aug 2012
- Deccan Herald: Mumbai rioters to pay for damage, 13 Aug 2012
- Khaleej Times: Govt orders probe, 25 arrested, 14 Aug 2012
- IANS via Business Today: Northeast exodus: Bulk SMS, MMS banned for 15 days, 17 Aug 2012
- PTI via Governance Now: Exodus of northeast people continues, 17 Aug 2012
- Christian Science Monitor: Thousands of Indians flee Bangalore after text message warnings, 17 Aug 2012
- IANS via Assam Tribune: Images causing panic from Pakistan, says Home Secretary, 19 Aug 2012
- Agencies via Ummid: Raj Thackeray to go ahead with procession despite police ban, 21 Aug 2012
- IANS via Deccan Herald: Bangladeshi infiltrators behind Mumbai violence, says Raj Thackeray, 21 Aug 2012
- CNN: India looks to Pakistan for answers after texts trigger mass panic, 21 Aug 2012
- Oneindia: Raj Thackeray's rally and R.R. Patil's response, 22 Aug 2012
- Newslaundry: Burn, burn while we watch, 22 Aug 2012
- IANS via Ummid: Speculation rife on Mumbai police commissioner's transfer, 22 Aug 2012
- IANS via Assam Tribune: Mumbai Police Commissioner transferred, 23 Aug 2012
- Ummid (commentary): Patnaik transfer: implication on police force, 24 Aug 2012
- PTI via Business Standard: Azad Maidan riot case: Charge sheet filed against 58 accused, 9 Nov 2012
- IANS via Ummid: Azad Maidan riot: One of rally organisers arrested, 3 Dec 2012
- Free Press Journal: Main organiser of Azad Maidan rally arrested, 4 Dec 2012
- Oneindia: Cop who gave rose to Raj Thackeray not to get pay hike, 26 Dec 2012
- National Commission for Women: Suo motu cognizance of assault on women police staff at Azad Maidan, undated
- BOOM: 2012 photo of Amar Jawan memorial desecration revived, 14 Dec 2019
- The Quint: No, Mumbai's 2012 Azad Maidan riots did not break out over support for Gaza, 14 Oct 2023
- UNI: 14 years of impunity: Azad Maidan riot accused walk free as justice remains elusive, 11 Aug 2026