Hindu resistance astounds Muslim radicals in Chandannagar, Hooghly

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.