Hindu-Muslim tension in Jalandhar eases with peace pact

In a dramatic turn of events, a recent feud that ensued between leaders of the Hindu community and members of the Muslim Sangathan Punjab has apparently come to an end.

The matter reportedly got sorted out after Aam Aadmi Party leaders pitched in and made both sides sit together at Mayor House in Model Town. AAP leaders, including minister Mohinder Bhagat, Mayor Vaneet Dhir, Jalandhar Central halqa incharge Nitin Kohli and chairperson of Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission Chandan Grewal, claimed to have got the matter resolved. While Muslim leaders remained present in larger number during brokering of peace, only the complainant came in from the Hindu faction.

The feud erupted on Friday last when members of the Muslim community were holding a protest outside the District Administrative Complex and had burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the arrests in UP for putting up "I Love Mohammad" posters. During the protest, Hindu man Yogesh Maini, who was passing by on his scooters had raising slogans of "Jai Shree Ram".

The Muslims had stopped him, taken out keys of his scooter and just started to manhandle him when BJP leaders had emerged on the scene. They had rushed to his rescue and launched huge protests for two days in the city and even got FIR lodged against the leaders of the Muslim Sangathan Punjab. The issue had sparked tension as the Muslims had termed police action to be one-sided and been demanding registration of a case against the BJP leaders too who they alleged had tried to ignite the matter.

At the Mayor House, Maini, an accountant, and Muslim leaders Naem Khan, Ayub Khan and others had turned up. After the meeting, Naem had stated that the misunderstanding had arisen during a peaceful protest but it was resolved. He also said a call given for "Sarva Dharma Sammelan" for Wednesday had been cancelled. Ayub announced that they would celebrate Diwali together at Maini's house.

Post the patch-up, Mohinder Bhagat issued a statement, "Jalandhar's identity has always been rooted in unity and brotherhood. We appeal to everyone to maintain peace." Kohli too stated, "The government is committed to strengthening the tradition of peace, brotherhood, and religious harmony."

The BJP leaders, who were part of the protest for two days, were not happy with the move of the AAP leaders. "They said Maini had been pressured for a patch-up so that the AAP leadership could project that it had worked really hard to restore peace in Punjab. But this is not a reality", said a senior BJP leader.