The wall erected by the Msulim community over the years in Kanpur and a representation image showing communal harmony placed over it (Source: Dainik Jagran and Getty image)
A gesture made by the Hindu and Sikh communities to promote communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur gone wrong. They believed that this gesture will promote brotherhood, however, it turned out to be a case of ‘Land Jihad’ (grabbing of land by Muslims for religious purposes).
As per the reports, the Msulims in Kanpur’s Bashir Ganj area have encroached the land and erected a wall over it which was once given to them by Hindus and Sikhs to keep Taziya after their dedicated spot was flooded.
As per a report by the Hindi Daily, Dainik Jagran, around 36 years ago, the Muslims living in the Bashir Ganj area did not have a place to take out the Taziya procession. Their dedicated spot was flooded. It was then the local Hindu community came forward and allowed them to use community space. That year, Muslims took their procession from this spot.
The region resides mostly Hindus and the locals have a significant land holding in the region. Since, the flood year, the local Muslims started observing Muharram and Taziya procession in the new community land allotted to them.
Over the years, they started calling the place ‘Imam Chowki’ which never existed in the region.
Recently, the Muslims erected a wall in the region and have been encroaching on the land. Following their malicious intentions, the Hindu side reached the police for help.
As per the police probe, Tazias from earlier times were kept under a tree in the Bashir Ganj area. When the area was flooded 36 years ago by rainfall, Swami Shri Shiv Narayan Ji Sant Samaj Gurdwara Seva Samiti granted permission to take out the Tazia procession from their community grounds.
As it flooded for two consecutive years and both times the Muslims were allowed to keep the Taziya in the community ground. The inhabitants of the akhada (Hindu religious organization) made no protests during the time. Tazia was housed on the premises where an idol of Hanuman Ji continues to be present.
Shockingly, the Muslims chose to put the Taziya in that spot even when it stopped flooding.
It is pertinent to mention that the Hindus and the Sikhs of the region have around 4 Bigha land. The place has a gurdwara, Hanumaji temple, six rooms and a garden.
Later, the Muslim side began constructing a wall to demarcate the akhada from the aforementioned area.
Ganesh Das Sonkar is currently in charge of the gurdwara seva samiti, as stated by Joint Commissioner of Police Anand Prakash. The body has been renewed in the year 2020-21. The locals have now decided to take action against the encroachment by the Muslim side.
As per the reports, Tazia will be sent back to the original location if the Akhada committee does not approve of its prolonged presence.
As of now no details pertaining to the registration of a legal case in this matter has come to light, Organiser will update the report as soon as we have it.
It is noteworthy that, a few months back communal tensions erupted in the so-called imam chowki area after locals tore a poster. Later, the police investigated the matter and found nothing.
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