THE DHAR district Collector has imposed certain restrictions at the disputed Bhojshala under Section 144 of CrPC from January 31 to February 10, and also banned all arms licenses in view of the Basant Panchami festival (February 3), that falls on Friday this year, to maintain communal harmony.
Members of both the communities (Hindus and Muslims) have been directed not to take anything (like mobiles, bags etc) apart from things necessary for puja, inside the Bhojshala. Carrying of any type of arms, explosives, and inflammable items has also been banned.
Both Muslims and Hindus have laid claim to the Bhojshala, which is a protected monument under the Archaelogical Survey of India. Local Muslims offer namaz there every Friday between 1 pm to 3 pm, while Hindus (read Hindu Jagran ManchVHP) celebrate Basant Panchami on a grand scale every year. Last year, Basant Panchami did not fall on a Friday, and hence Hindus had the entire day to offer puja.
Collector R K Gupta talking to Hindustan Times said that this year the Hindu leaders have demanded the entire day for pujas as they are arguing that thousands of devotees are likely to come to offer prayers and they would be unable to vacate the premises to allow the Muslims to offer prayers. Gupta said the Muslim leaders want to offer namaz at the same time they have been doing for the rest of the year.
Gupta said the ASI has directed that Hindus would be able to perform puja from sunrise to 12.30 pm. From 1 pm to 3 pm the Muslims would be given time to offer Namaz and then from 3.30 pm to sun down the Hindus would again be allowed to perform puja.
{{/usCountry}}Gupta said the ASI has directed that Hindus would be able to perform puja from sunrise to 12.30 pm. From 1 pm to 3 pm the Muslims would be given time to offer Namaz and then from 3.30 pm to sun down the Hindus would again be allowed to perform puja.
{{/usCountry}}He said the district administration is going to stick to this time table, but added that negotiations are on with leaders of both the communities to see whether any amicable solution could be arrived at or not. Gupta added that the main ‘aarti’ is scheduled to be held at 12 pm, and hence there should be no problem in vacating the premises by 12.30 pm.
However, the administration is taking no chances. Additional forces are being sent to Dhar to prevent any untoward incident, since Dhar has a recent history of communal tension. Last year curfew had to be imposed in February and July after communal riots.