Ramnavami,
Mahavir Jayanti processions invite recurrent attacks on Hindus
Chandannagar,
historically significant town in the realm of District: Hooghly in Bengal,
remained witness to a bitter Hindu-Muslim conflict on April 21, 2013, leading
to the injuries of several Hindus and deep tension in the vicinity. The crisis
erupted when the religious procession of Hindus, brought out to observe
RamNavami, was attacked by Muslim radicals, set not to let Hindus live
peacefully there.
The
huge Hindu religious procession comprised almost 7, 000 people, including women
and children, and once it reached Urdibazar (ward no. 11 and 12 under the Chandannagar Municipality ), an area dominated by
Bihari Muslims, the problem started. Muslim ruffians there, with no mood to let
the Hindu procession go by peaceably, slanged Hindus, especially their
womenfolk. Hindus reacted strongly leading to a violent conflict between the
two communities. Police found it extremely difficult to calm warring Hindus in
particular; Islamists, finding it impossible to resist Hindus, fled soon.
But
the problem was not over. Hindus, returning from their religious procession,
were attacked by Islamists at 8 pm. However; timely intervention of police
saved the situation then.
Ashok
Shaw, local MLA, to stop the uphill Hindu-Muslim conflict in the area, convened
a peace meeting at Rabindra Bhavan on April 22, 2013, at 6 pm. And a peace
committee was also formed. But later developments proved that the saga of peace
remains an anathema to brutal Islamists, ever ready to frustrate and also
exterminate Hindus.
On
April 25, 2013, Hindus, to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti with splendor, brought out
another large procession from Hanuman
Temple in Urdibazar.
Indeed, there was a new feature at this time. The procession included Muslim
members of the peace committee along with Hindus; a scene strong enough to boost
local administration’s confidence.
But
such bonhomie came to an abrupt end when 3 Hindus, Iswar Mahajan, Bikram Hela
and Rana Hela, while returning from the procession were attacked by Muslim
radicals, armed with lethal weapons. All of them were thrashed mercilessly and
Iswar Harijan was struck with a glass bottle (on his head).
A
FIR: 92/13 dtd. 26/04/2013 with Sections: 341/325/326/379/354B/295A/506/34 was filed
against Islamists including SK Mannan, SK Munna, SK Helo, SK Pervez.
It
has come to the knowledge, 7 Muslim radicals including the above 4 ones have
been taken into custody. But 6 Hindus have also been arrested based on flimsy
charges submitted by Islamists.
Perhaps, administration was
in no mood to let radicals sleep unhappily.