NewsBits.in: News website from Central India-Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
Free, Fair and Fearless
General

Defying communal tension, Muslim trader continues to lead Hindu temple event

Share this story on :
Communal harmony  Yamin Khan  Harda  Bhandara  Temple  Hindu-Muslim relationship  Communal tension  Madhya Pradesh

 

Mukesh Pandey

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL/HARDA: When communal tension erupted in Harda and prohibitory orders had been issued, a Muslim trader was leading a Hindu religious event in another part of the same town.

Yameen Khan ensured that the 'bhandara' which thousands of devotees attend, was organised in accordance with the tradition of the temple. 

Khan, a perfume trader, has been taking the lead in organising the event. Once when Ramesh Bhai, one of the organisers, told him that he would not be able to organise the 'bhandara' that year, Yamin Khan decided that he would not the tradition stop.

Hence, Yameen Khan, decided to take up the responsibility. He met other local residents and it was planned that the annual bhandara at the temple on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti would be continued. 

Since then, he has been associated with the event. This week, there was communal tension in Harda. Troublemakers resorted to stone pelting and ruckus, leading to enforcement of section 144 and heavy police deployment. But Yameen Khan and his friends were busy in organising the event. 

The group that leads the event include Mahesh Kanojia, Pawan Sakalle, Gulab Tejwani and Rakesh Jangre among others. Vishnu Agarwal, Santosh Agarwal and Jani family have also been with the group.

"I am a devout Muslim, I offer Namaz five times a day. But this is part of our culture. Since childhood, I have seen how Hindu elders considered me as their own. I never felt that there was any difference", said Khan.