Depiction of Muslim Worshiping Durga Leads to Violence

[Guest guest]

MANGALORE, India (Oct. 4, 2006 [uCAN]): Violence erupted in a

southern town during a Hindu festival after Muslims alleged a

tableau belittled their community.

 

More than 10 people were wounded and several vehicles and shops

damaged when Hindu and Muslim communities clashed Oct. 1-2 in Bajpe,

a fishing village on the outskirts of Mangalore, a port town in

Karnataka state, 2,085 kilometers south of New Delhi.

 

On Oct. 2 across India, Hindus celebrated Dussera, a festival

marking the victory of good over evil. The festival comes after nine

days of fasting and penance.

 

Karnataka observes Dussera as a public festival, closing educational

institutions for 10 days and disbursing special bonuses for

employees. Hindus in the state celebrate with processions featuring

tableaus on open vehicles. These consist of people portraying

various scenes linked to the festival.

 

Processions in Mangalore displayed more than 200 tableaus. One of

the tableaus prepared by a temple in Bajpe depicted a Muslim

worshiping the goddess Durga, the festival's central deity.

 

According to local tradition, a Muslim merchant, Bappa Beary, built

the temple in the predominantly Muslim village three centuries ago

as a sign of gratitude to the goddess for helping his community

survive natural calamities. Anand Kunder, a local Hindu, explained

to UCA News that the tableau depicted the legend to symbolize Hindu-

Muslim harmony prevailing in the region.

 

However, trouble started on Oct. 1 evening when some Muslims

objected to the Bajpe tableau in a procession and demanded its

removal.

 

The organizers refused, and as the two groups argued, violence

erupted. People from both communities blocked roads and damaged

vehicles and property. The local administration imposed a ban on

more than three people gathering in one place, and police arrested a

dozen people and registered nine cases.

 

The procession resumed several hours following the altercation,

after police removed the controversial tableau. The ban was enforced

after the procession.

 

Mohammed Shammy, a local Muslim youth, charges that Hindus put up

the tableau deliberately to insult his community and incite

sectarian violence.

 

"Nobody denies the history, and we are proud that a Muslim built the

Durga temple, but we don't expect a public tableau to display a

Muslim worshiping a Hindu goddess," he told UCA News.

 

"Harmony is the culture of the majority people," Shammy added, "and

sowing disharmony is the culture of anti-social elements."

 

The Indian Union Muslim League, a political outfit, has asked the

state chief minister to provide security for the Muslim community.

Ahmed Jamal, the league's state secretary, has urged his people to

remain calm and not to resort to violence.

 

SOURCE: Indian Catholic, New Delhi

URL: http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=3749