By SMA KAzmi
DEHRADUN: After the communal and divisive order of the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand BJP governments to publicly show the names of the shopkeepers and vendors which was later struck down by the Supreme Court, another attempt was made in furtherance of a similar agenda when the front of two mosques and a Mazar in Haridwar district on Kanwar Yatra route in Uttarakhand were covered with white sheets. However, after strong criticism by various sections, better sense prevailed and these curtains were removed in the evening.
These white curtains were erected on the facades of these mosques and a ‘mazar’ on bamboo scaffoldings on Friday morning to prevent trouble. However, after criticism and talk of Supreme Court ruling on nameplates, these white sheets were removed. Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj claimed in a news comment that such a decision had been taken to prevent any trouble. He further said that it was not a big thing and even under construction buildings are covered with sheets.
The Muslims of the area pleaded ignorance about any administrative order and expressed surprise at such a decision. They pleaded that the ‘Kanwar Yatra’ has been going on for ages and passing through these areas unhindered. The Muslim community on the ‘Kanwar yatra’ route has always welcomed ‘Kanwariyas’ and such a move was ill-intentioned.
Suryakant Dhasmana, Senior Vice-President of Uttarakhand Congress strongly criticising the move termed it as a blatant violation of Supreme Court directives. “The BJP has not learnt its lessons from the current Lok Sabha and assembly bye-elections where people have shown that they are against their divisive agenda and want to live peacefully as they had been doing for ages with all communities in a spirit of brotherhood,” he said.
