By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Burdwan/Kolkata: A mega rally was organised by Muslim clerics here in Burdwan on October 20 against maligning of religious institutions in the wake of the recent blast in the town that has brought the needles of suspicion on some madrasas. While condemning all acts of terror unequivocally, the clerics appealed to the members of the two communities to maintain communal harmony.
“Madrasas are as patriotic institutions as any others and have played critical role in national integration and promoting brotherhood,” said the Secretary of Jamiat Ulama e Hind, West Bengal Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury, while addressing the rally, adding that there is no place for terrorism in Islam.
Manisha Banerjee, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, Ashim Chatterje, Samir Puttunda, and others personalities in a protest convention of Jamiat-e-Ulama WB at Burdwan on 20 oct 2014.
Criticising a section of media who are fanning communal agenda, Maulana Chowdhury said, “A section of media is circulating propaganda against Madrasas to strengthen anti-Muslim and communal forces, which is very dangerous for the state.”
A non-descript two-storied house in Khagragarh, a suburb of Burdwan – 120 kms from Kolkata – witnessed an explosion on October 2, which killed two persons and injured another.
Security agencies believe that the rented flat was a bomb making factory, and the deceased as well as the two women, arrested from the house are part of a nefarious terror outfit. Much of it is still shrouded in speculations and only after a thorough investigation by a competent agency, can one expect concrete facts to be known.
Razia Bibi and Alima Bibi, the two women arrested from the house at Khakhragarh, site of the blast that killed two persons and injured another, first studied and then taught at an institution at Simulia. Police claim that it was a training center.
Locals, however, appeared angry at the way their locality and community was being portrayed largely due to insensitive reporting by regional media. In fact, the spot had turned a la “Peepli Live” for this otherwise nondescript locality as several media persons descended for sport reporting.
Maulana Chowdhury said that media is raising panic and tension among people through propaganda and creating riot like situation.
They are trying to malign entire Madrasa system, forgetting that many non-Muslims also study in these institutions in the state, he reminded. He urged the people to not fall into trap.
He alleged that the BJP is trying to fan communal tensions, adding that the Muslims in the state are panic stricken and worried.
He also demanded from the security agencies to not irresponsibly give statements and malign all madrasas in the country.
He emphatically said that no Madrasa in the state teaches any anti-national matter. While demanding that the culprits must be brought to justice, Chowdhury demanded that when Naxals or criminals are arrested from Jadavpur University, Presidency University and Calcutta University, we don’t cal them hub of criminals, why single out madrasa then.
The rally was also addressed by state secretary of Party of Democratic Socialism Samir Putatunda, and Leftist leader Ashim Chatterjee and Anuradha Puttunda.
Ashim Chatterjee reiterated that some people are trying to fan communal tension in the state and unnecessarily targeting all madrasas.
Educationalist Manisha Banerjee, AIUDF leader Rafiqul Islam, Mufti Abdus Salam, Maulana Ilias and many others was participated in this protest convention.
At least fifty thousand people are believed to have gathered in this protest convention in front of Curzon Gate in the heart of the Burdwan city.
Many people were holding placards that read `Dharmanirapekkha Bharat Jindabad’ (Secular India Jindabad), and urged the media to maintain communal harmony by not being biased.
Related:
Burdwan Blast and After: Shock, disbelief and anger: Khagragarh caught unawares
Burdwan Blast and After: New madrasa, disturbed neighbourhood and a wary community
Burdwan Blast and After: Politics over Burdwan blast leading to communal polarisation