Maniktala Hindus are clueless how to stop Mosque in Hindu area
Maniktala Hindus are clueless how to stop outsider
Muslims’ design to build a Mosque in Hindu area
Maniktala (in north Kolkata) must be
thanking the almighty only for it could avoid a battle royal between two
religious communities today, July 23, 2013, in the evening as both got involved
in a face off following the loud noise heard while offering namaaz at a land
occupied forcefully by people belonging to the Muslim community. The situation
worsened when a few of occupiers were found to park their bikes before a few
shops intentionally.
The entire
dispute revolves around a land of 3.5 cottahs located at Maniktala Main Road and belongs to Mrs.
Jyotsna Mitra, a Bengali woman. It has been learnt, among the entire stretch of
land 2.5 cottahs belong to her family while the remaining belonged to a person
named Haji Moniruddin who breathed his last almost 65 years ago. No heir of
deceased Haji Moniruddin appeared to claim the land ever. The land enjoyed the
same status for decades at a stretch.
The problem
started when the entire property was sold to a promoter, Sushil Poddar. While
Mr. Poddar started the project, hundreds of Muslim youths assembled before the
very property on July 15, 2013 terming it as a land belonging to Muslims
exclusively. Even if local Hindus protested, they accepted requests of Muslims
to pray namaaz (second pillar in Islam) but disturbances started when the
number of people offering prayers started increasing steadily. There is a
small Hindu temple adjacent to the site where the namaaz is being offered.
Consequently,
Hindus in the area decided to talk to both Muslims and administration directly,
but in both cases their views were unheeded. This led to a spontaneous protest
from Hindus on July 21, 2013.
Only on July 23,
2013, a request of Hindus to lower the loud voice while offering Azaan in the
disputed territory led to the rift. This protest was joined by Hindus in
numbers. Higher officials of Maniktala PS had a hard time to contain raging
Hindus, worried of a fast change in the demographic character of the area.
As per fresh
reports, an armed consignment of police has been deployed in the area to
overcome any untoward development. It has also come to knowledge, police has
demanded a petition from the protesters; it is being prepared at the moment.
A board has been
introduced in the disputed territory stating: The property belongs to Haji
Moniruddin Mosque and Burial Ground Wakf Estate under E.C. No. 13856; Board of Wakfs,
West Bengal Premises No. 101, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata – 700 054.
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