By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun/New Delhi, 14 Jun: The tussle over the Mahapanchayat to be held in Purola (Uttarkashi district) on 15 June over Love Jihad case in Purola does not seem to be ending at present. Despite warning by the authorities, those who have given a call to hold the Maha Panchayat appear to be adamant to hold the Panchayat, even as the petitioners have now moved the Uttarakhand High Court following the Supreme Court’s refusal to entertain a plea to stop the ‘Mahapanchayat‘ in Purola amid communal tension prevailing in the twon. A petition has been filed on behalf of the petitioner in the Nainital High Court against the proposed Mahapanchayat. Meanwhile Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has urged everyone to not take law into their hand and has also warned of strict action against those who break the law.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court today not only refused to entertain the plea by some petitioners against holding the Panchayat tomorrow, but also made some strong comments in respect of the petitioners. Supreme Court observed that it is the responsibility of the state to maintain law and order. The apex court further asked the petitioners why they had approached the Apex Court directly and directed them to go to High Court if they wished. The court further stressed that the High Court is competent to hear such cases.
It may be recalled that Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have given a call for holding a Mahapanchayat in Purola tomorrow to ask the Muslim traders to vacate their shops in the wake of a Muslim youth luring a minor Hindu girl and running away with her. This incident, only one of more than 50 such cases in past few months in Uttarakhand, has enraged the local population. In view of the possibility of law and order worsening in the town, the district administration and the district police have not given their permission to hold the Maha Panchayat. The agitation by local population and some Hindu organisations is continuing since 26 May and the local people are demanding that the migrant Muslim traders vacate their shops and leave Purola.
After the refusal of the Supreme Court to hear the case against the Maha Panchyat, the petitioners mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court. Now tomorrow the case will be heard in the Uttarakhand High Court. It may be recalled that some office bearers of the BJP’s Minority Morcha and some office bearers of Minority Commission including Mazhar Naeem Nawab who is Vice President of the Commission have also commented against the government and the party claiming that condition of the Muslims in the society and in the party is pathetic.
The Vice-Chairman of the Minority Commission also claimed that the people of a particular community should be prevented from migrating from Purola. They should be provided security. Those who commit crimes should not be spared, but there should be no injustice to others from the minority community.
It may further be noted that some Muslim organisations too have given a call to hold Mahapanchayat in Dehradun against the Mahapanchayat of Hindus in Purola. So far Dehradun SSP has appealed to everyone not to do anything to disrupt the atmosphere of peace and harmony. But no further statement of any other authority has been forthcoming in this respect so far.
Flag March taken out by administration in Purola, CM appeals for peace
By Arun Pratap Singh
Uttarkashi, 14 Jun: A flag march was taken out by the local police and administration today in Purola to ensure peace in the town in the wake of proposed Maha Panchayat. Section 144 of CrPC has been invoked in the town which prevents gathering of more than 5 persons. Section 144 has been imposed for next 6 days.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, speaking informally to the media stated, “We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace and not to take law into their own hands. Action will be taken against those who break the law”.
