Mahapanchayat Against Religious Procession Sparks Tension in Bawana in Delhi

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 03, 2014: Provocative posters and speeches in the Bawana area of north Delhi have raised fears of a communal flare-up ahead of Muharram on Tuesday, days after clashes in Trilokpuri, which is still tense.
 

A "Mahapanchayat" or meeting organized on Sunday allegedly urged people to oppose a "Taziya" procession to be taken out as part of Muharram, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson in the battle of Karbala.
 
A legislator of the BJP, Gugan Singh Ranga, and a Congress councillor, Devender Kumar, were present at the meeting. "Whatever you want and decide, I will support you," Mr Ranga allegedly told the gathering.
 
Religious tension has been simmering in the area for the past few weeks, say residents.
 
Rais, who stays in a slum colony, told NDTV, "Since Eid last month, attempts have been made to politicise issues understandably due to elections. Some young Hindu men accused us of cow slaughter but they found nothing."

The Hindu and Muslim residents of the colony are separated by a small canal.
 
There have been some objections to the Muharram procession’s route that cuts through a village area where mostly Hindu families stay. The families say the procession blocks the main road that connects to other parts of the city and therefore, affects their business.
 
"The same route has been followed for 10 years, but they never complained before. But now since they have, we have decided to limit our procession to the JJ colony... we want to maintain harmony in the area," said Rais.
 
Despite this assurance, allegedly incendiary speeches were heard at Sunday’s "Mahapanchayat".
 
Pradeep Mathur, one of the organisers of the meeting, said, "We need a written assurance from the police that they will not enter our area."
 
The police have permitted the Muharram procession and say "law and order will be maintained."
 
More than 800 policemen are in Bawana to ward against any spark of tension.
 
Nearly two weeks ago, 14 people were arrested in another part of the city - Trilokpuri in east Delhi - after rioting during the Diwali festival. 

 

Courtesy: NDTV