Malerkotla sets example in amity, peace panel leads the way

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, February 27

Amid riots over the CAA in northeast Delhi, Punjab’s Muslim majority town Malerkotla has set an example in brotherhood and amity with Hindus and Muslims offering prayers in a temple and mosque that share a common wall. Locals have formed a 37-member peace panel representing all communities.

“In Malerkotla, Hindus and Muslims share their problems and are more than willing to help each other,” says Sandeep Kumar of Somsons Colony. “Peace committee members have been working in tandem with the police and the administration. At times problems do crop up, but these are quickly addressed and solved,” says peace committee member Iqbal Mohammad Fauji, who is also Nagar Council president. An agitation against the CAA, NRC and NPR has been going on at Sirhindi Gate for quite some time. Sikhs and Hindus are also participating in it to express solidarity with Muslim brethren, says an official of the Radha Soami dera.

Even as Manjit Singh Brar, SP, says all localities are under watch, a wary Malerkotla SDM Vikramjit Singh Panthey has sought more police personnel as a precautionary step.