The BJP and Sanghi goons have employed a deliberate strategy to create communal tension in Arwal in October during the festive season. The attitude of the administration has also been very negligent, resulting in the worsening of the situation and the imposition of Section 144. To deal with the situation a team comprising of Com. Rameshwar Prasad, Com. Mahanand from the CPI (ML) and Anwar Hussain from the Inquilabi Muslim Conference visited various places in Arwal on 3 October and appealed to the people to maintain calm. They said that the soil of Arwal has always cultivated communal harmony and pointed out that ever since the BJP came to power in the State they have tried to vitiate the atmosphere. Such hate-mongering forces should be boycotted, they said. They congratulated the people of Arwal for being alert and defeating the BJP’s evil purpose.
This year, as Dussehra and Moharram coincided, there was some misunderstanding about the Pandal and the ongoing Tazia procession on 1 October in Makhdumpur village but it was resolved by mutual understanding; however, as the procession was returning, communal elements of the BJP blocked the procession and shouted Jai Shri Ram slogans. The situation deteriorated but once again it was brought under control.
In view of the coinciding of Dussehra and Moharram the rest of the State had issued orders for the Durga immersion to be done on 30 September but in Arwal the administration gave the time up to 2 October. On 2 October there was tension once again in Shahi Mohalla. Communal elements broke into a shop and looted it. But the people were wise and did not fall into the communal trap and remained peaceful.
Frustrated by the fact that peace was being maintained, Sanghi goons started closing shops and spreading rumours to vitiate the atmosphere. Many Muslim houses were vandalized and fruit shops were looted. CPI (ML) leader Com. Sohail Akhtar’s house was also vandalized and several other party leaders too were targeted. Due to the initiatives taken by the CPI (ML) the administration did a flag march at 10 PM and imposed Section 144 to maintain peace.
