V Shanmugam was weilding a knife and kept people at bay as he abused some local residents, especially Muslims, at Kottur Avarampatti near Berhampur Mosque.
On a complaint from an official of the mosque, police arrested Shanmugam. Further investigations were on.
Demanding his detention under the stringent Goondas Act, several members of the Muslim community picketed in front of the local police station, but dispersed after being persuaded by police officials.
Police conducted a search in the mosque area as a preventive measure.