New Delhi. “Communal tensions in Trilokpuri, Bawana, Mundka and several other places in Delhi recently over the annual Muharram celebrations are a threat to amity and peace in Delhi. Muharram processions are an annual event conducted by the Muslim community all over the country. The decision by an extra-legal “mahapanchayat” to disallow this procession in Bawana through their traditional routes is therefore illegal and unacceptable. The role of the police and the administration which has sought to play along with the decisions of these extra-legal bodies is also dubious and unacceptable.”
Vijay Pratap of Samajwadi Samagam, Kavita Krishnan of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)- Liberation, Gautam Mody of National Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), John Dayal, ND Pancholi of Peoples' Union of Civil Liberties, Citizens for Democracy, Srinivasan Ramani of Left Collective, Rafiq Jabbar Mulla, of SDPI & others on behalf of All India Peoples' Forum (AIPF) Preparatory Committee said herein a joint statement that It is clear that the incidents in Trilokpuri and Bawana are being orchestrated as part of a larger political conspiracy to polarize communities and heighten communal tensions in the run up to possible Delhi assembly elections in the near future. These set of events are in line with similar actions by communal forces elsewhere in the country that have resulted in riots and communal polarization, for electoral gain.
AIPF members appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain peace and communal harmony. Tolerance and respect for minority rights are the need of the hour. Unity in diversity cannot be compromised. We appeal to the people to unite against communal forces and thwart their bid to raise tensions among the peace loving people.
They demanded that the police and administration must allow the Muslim community the freedom to conduct their annual Muharram processions without any hindrance, as is their guaranteed constitutional right. We demand that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Home Minister of the country take responsibility to ensure that peace is maintained and strict action taken against any elements that try to foment violence and target the Muharram procession.
