In Muslim-majority Indonesia, two women arrested for forcing an oath by stepping on the Quran

Possibility of up to 5 years imprisonment

Jakarta (Indonesia): Indonesian police said Sunday they had arrested two women on blasphemy charges after a video showing one of them stepping on a Quran went viral on social media in the Muslim-majority country. The two women, whose names and ages were not disclosed, were nabbed by police in Banten province this week and risk five years in prison if found guilty under Indonesia’s blasphemy law. The law forbids anyone from making statements offending one of the country’s six official religions or trying to prevent someone from adhering to one of those religions.

🚨 Indonesia: Two women arrested for taking an oath by stepping on the Quran. Reports say they could face up to 5 years in prison.

⚖️ Indonesia acts swiftly when the religious sentiments of its majority are hurt.

🇮🇳 Meanwhile in India, repeated insults to the religious beliefs… pic.twitter.com/SmIdjaN1ZM

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 15, 2026

The incident happened on Wednesday when a salon owner in Lebak, Banten, some 140 kilometres (87 miles) from the capital Jakarta, accused a guest of stealing her belongings. When the woman denied it, the salon owner insisted she swear an oath while stepping on a Quran, and took a video. “The person who stepped on the Quran, and the person who asked her to swear an oath, have both admitted what they did. Police have summoned them, and they have now been named as suspects,” Banten police spokesman Maruli Ahiles Hutapea told to reporters. The video of the incident spread like wildfire on social media, sparking public anger.

Editorial Perspective

On one hand, Indonesia remains alert to ensure that the religious sentiments of the majority are not disrespected; on the other hand, in India, despite repeated disrespect toward the religious symbols of the Hindu majority, no action is taken — which is shameful for 100 crore Hindus !