When Hindus and Muslims displayed unity

When Hindus and Muslims displayed unity
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Leave us alone, the problem is in our area, we can handle it, do not interfere, this was the message conveyed to the neighbourhood residents by some of the muslim community residents of J C Nagar.

Though one feared the incident would trigger communal violence in the City, the danger has been averted. While the police takes credit for this, the contribution of the residents of J C Nagar that has to be mentioned as they kept people from entering the area.

Immediately after the incident was reported, a group of the local Muslim youth were on the street blocking and diverting the people entering in the area around the J C Nagar. They were found helping the police to divert the traffic and guiding lensmen to a safe path. “ When such incidents happen, people from neighbouring areas sneak in to create mischief, we do not want this to happen,” said Abdul Sattar, one of the youth in the area. Syed, a member of the Jamia Mosque where the incident occurred, venting his anger over the incident said that it is politically motivated to disturb peace in the region. “Such incidents happened even before, where a Ganapathi temple was desecrated,” he told Deccan Herald.

Akram, another member pointed out that an incident of stone pelting took place during Dasara celebrations to disturb the brotherhood. “ But we have decided not to fall prey to such incidents.” he said.

Prakash, a member of Ganapathi Temple Trust said that both the communities have stood by each other during crisis. “They stood by us during the incident at the temple, now we condemn this incident and will work towards preventing such incidents,” he said.

He said a committee will be formed soon which will meet on every Sundays to discuss on how to maintain peace in the area, considering such frequent reports.

Political hand?
Local politicians doubt political ambitions behind Friday’s incident at a masjid in JC Nagar and Hebbal. Former Bangalore Mayor Mumtaz Begum also said said that polls to BBMP and Loksabha were imminent and some over zealous politician could have instigated the unrest.

However, former JC Nagar councillor Jameel Ahmed denied any political involvement in the ugly incident. He said that his community members had no reason to desecrate the masjid. Jameel said he only arrived after the police fired tear gas shells.