‘Sadbhavna March’ in Doon against growing communalism, Karanprayag residents unite to seek action against divisive elements

S.M.A.KAZMI

Dehradun, In protest against growing communal incidents and targeting of minorities in Uttarakhand, hundreds of public spirited men and women belonging to various social and political organisations marched on the streets of Dehradun as part of “Sadhbavna March” here today.

Hundreds of people gathered at historic Gandhi park, where they sang songs affirming their faith in unity of the common masses and their resolve to maintain dignity and equality of fellow human beings. Later, people with white bands on their mouths and holding placards calling upon people to shun communal and divisive elements, they took out a “Sadbhava March” from Gandhi park to Paltan bazaar and back.

An appeal was made to the general masses of Uttarakhand against attempts being made to disturb the communal harmony and brotherhood of the state by spreading hatred on petty issues. The appeal condemned the targeting of minorities in the name of ‘Love Jehad’ and to displace them from their hearths and homes in the hills. The violence against Dalits in the state is also part of the hate campaign. The appeal expressed concern at the political patronage being given to such divisive elements who are out to destroy the communal harmony and brotherhood of the society for their ulterior political motives. The appeal further expressed deep concern at the failure of the police in acting under pressure and not taking action against such elements who had been destroying public order by taking law into their own hands. The common masses were appealed to raise their voice against such elements.

The appeal noted with concern that the police and the state administration had failed to take suo motto action against such hate mongers and trouble makers despite appeals made by prominent citizens, bureaucrats and women organisations ate the national level in the past years.

Participants in ‘Sadbhavna March against rising communalism in Dehradun on Sunday.

The appeal reminded the state government that safety and security of all the citizens remain the bounden duty of the state and called upon to act as per the directions of the Supreme Court of India. The appeal urged the state government to insure the security of all the citizens irrespective of caste creed, colour and religion, stricvt action against those indulging in spreading communal violence and hatred. The appeal also asked the state government to form permanent peace committees at the block, district and state level.

The people who signed the peace appeal included Dr. Shekhar Pathak, Prof. Uma Bhatt, Radha Behn, Harish Rawat, Balli Singh Cheema, Karan Mahra, Virender Painuly, Rajeev Nayan Bahuguna, Kamla Pant, Geeta Gairola, Shankar Gopal, Nicholas Haoffland, Anil Nauriya, Sumita Hazarika, Razia Baig and Latafat Hussain and hundreds other from across the state.

Prominent amongst those who participated in the march included Dr. Ravi Chopra, Vibha Puri Dass, Kamla Pant,Indresh maikhuri, Samar Bhandari, Suryakant Dhasmana, Garima Dasuani, Lal Chand Sharma, Trilochan Bhatt, Jai Singh Rawat, Satish Dhaulkhandi, Rajinder Negi, Indu Naudiyal, Chander Kala, Nirmala Bisht, jaikrit kandwal, Roshan Dhasmana, Dr. S.N.Sacchan, Surender Sajwan and Atul

Sati and hundreds other.

The organisations which supported the march included Uttarakhand Insaniyat manch, Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, Nasha Virodhi Jan Abhiyan,Chetna Andolan, SFI,Bharat Gyan Vigyan samiti, IPTA, NAPSR,AIDWA,Uttarakhand Congress,CPI, CPM, CPI(ML) and Samajwadi Party.

people of Karanprayag in Chamoli district under the banner of Nagrik Manch submitting a memorandum to SDM, Karanprayag against elements spreading hate against Muslims in the hills.

Meanwhile in a related development, prominent citizens of Karanprayag under the banner of Nagrik Manch, submitted a memorandum addressed to District Magistrate,Chamoli through Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Karanprayag against attempts by some vested elements to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the Karanprayag by targeting the minority Muslim community. They alleged that some people claiming to be ‘Hindutva’ leaders are trying to grab a Muslim graveyard which they had been trying for the past several years. They said that Hindus and Muslims had been living peacefully without any trouble and part of the local society. It further said that a court case has been going on regarding the graveyard but now attempts are continuously made to create communal trouble.

The Nagrik Manch Karanprayag urged the local administration to immediate take strict action against such elements. Prominent amongst those who met the SDM and submitted a memorandum included Subhash gairola, former Chairman, Nagar Palika Parishad, Karanprayag,Birender Singh Mingwal,President, Vyapar Mandal, Karanprayag, Bhupal Singh Rawat, District Secretary, CPM, Mahesh Khanduri, City President Congress, Ishwari Prasad maikhuri, Dr. Madan Mohan Navni, Suraj Bisht, Ayush Negi and several other youth and student leaders.