TS Venkatesan, in Chennai
Muslims deliberately threatened the Hindus taking the Vinayaka procession in Sengottai. But when Hindus got united to boycott the Muslim businesses, the community came running for sealing a compromise
The predominant Muslim community mainly engaged in business activities, who have been forced to the wall following their objection to Vinayaka Chaturthi procession, has now extended an olive branch to the Majority Hindus.
Muslims taking out peace march after Hindus boycotted their businesses in Sengottai following the clashes
As per the court direction around 498 Vinayaka idols were kept on the Vinayaka Chathurthi day on September 13. Sengottai town bordering Kerela state in Tirunelveli district had a total of 36 idols that were taken in procession the same day to be immersed in the Gundaar river. The incident began when one of the idols was taken out in a procession through the usual Sengottai West Periya Pallivasal Street. The idol was taken on a goods autorickshaw amidst fanfare to be installed at Vandimarichamman Temple. Muslim youth opposed the celebration and asked the procession to be diverted through an alternative route.
Muslims Threaten Hindus
The procession which commenced from the Vandimarachiamman temple, was, however, opposed by a section of youths as it entered a Melur street, where a mosque is located. It resulted in a wordy altercation between the youths on both the sides, which turned to a clash as both sides started pelting stones and chappals at each other. In that clash, idols were damaged.
The police deployed for security in the region was so inadequate that they could not control the clash.
In the ensuing group clash, ten persons including a police inspector were injured, and around 330 two-wheelers and cars were damaged. The clash that continued for more than three hours, however, was brought under control following additional deployment of police from the nearby areas.
Tirunelveli Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish visits trouble hit Keela Pallivasal Street Sengottai
With the intervention of the Tirunelveli District Collector, Shilpa Prabakar Satish who held parlays with both groups, the procession continued. The police slapped the Goondas Act against Mohammed Abdul Theshik, Nagoor Kani (all outsiders) and Subhash, Maariselvam and Kali Prakash ( Sengottai residents) for the violence.
During the last 25 years, the Muslim fundamentalists have spread their wings in places like Melur, Viswanathapuram, etc. They built a mosque in front of an Amman temple (Goddess) in Tenkasi (which is revered as Kasi of South), The Islamisation in the region is growing rapidly. The process is nothing but the conversion of Hindus into Islamic folds. Business activities are controlled by Muslims. Distribution, franchise rights are denied to Hindus. No credit facility is extended to Hindus in business. Hindus faced a lot of hardships. They were not allowed to follow their traditions and rituals.
Hindus Boycott Muslims
After the incident, the majority of Hindus have made a vow not to buy anything from the Muslim shops. In a nutshell, merchandise sold by Muslims in whatsoever form would be avoided by Hindus. In Tenkasi and Senkottai (Red Fort in English) and other parts of Tirunelveli districts, the Muslims are a dominant force. They are mainly into business. They run Hotel, restaurants, eateries, cloth merchandise, beef and mutton stalls, fancy stores and grocery stores.
Being pushed to the wall, the Muslim leaders decided to extend an olive branch. They want to make peace with Hindus to maintain harmony. In the peace talks, preceded by a rally of Muslims, it was resolved that henceforth they would not object or make an issue for any Hindu religious procession being taken on the routes where their religious places of worship are located. They would volunteer to organise the Vinakayak festival along with Hindus next year. They have fallen to the feet of Hindus.
“Senkottai is Babar’s forte was their earlier slogan. Now it has become fort of Saffron, Hindus. After feeling the pinch of the heat and business loss, they have surrendered to the Hindus. It is a welcome move. It would strengthen the harmony among the two communities” said a senior journalist Sridharan.
Meanwhile, Coimbatore police registered three cases against Mohan C Lazarus, a preacher, for making allegedly provocative speeches, including saying Tamil Nadu was in the grasp of Satan. A video of the founder of Jesus Redeems Mohan C Lazarus, showed him saying Tamil Nadu was in the grasp of Satan referring to a large number of places of worship of a particular religion. There have been spate complaints against in various police stations. R Jaihind Murugesan, of Uthupalayam near Arasur, who is a BJP functionary, complained about Sulur police station in Coimbatore.
The date and the place where the speech was made is yet to be ascertained. Based on the complaint, Sulur police inspector Thangaraj registered an FIR against Mohan C Lazarus under sections 153 (A) (1) (a) (b) and 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code. Lazarus has been denigrating Hindu gods and rituals of Hindus. In March this year, similar tensions had gripped Tenkais district as the Rama Rajya Rath Yatra made its way into the state from Kerala.
