Hindus, Muslims amicably resolve loudspeaker row

MEERUT: Setting an example of communal harmony, residents of Jogirampuri village in Bijnore district amicably resolved a dispute over use of loudspeaker at a Shiv temple.

Tension had prevailed in the village after police dismounted the loudspeaker from the temple on Ram Navmi after Muslims objected to its use.

On Sunday representatives of both the communities held a meeting in the presence of chief development officer Indramani Tripathi and SP (rural) Dr Dharamveer Singh.

After discussions, the Muslims agreed to permanent installation of the loudspeaker on the temple and that it would be used only on festivals. They also agreed to the loudspeaker being used for ‘aarti’, except during five days of Eid and during ‘namaz’.

A ‘compromise letter’ was signed by Dayaram Singh, Mangatram, Shivcharan, Mangal Singh, Rajeev Goswami and village pradhan Mohd Rafi, Faheem, Shamshad, Ameer Ahmad, Dr Imamuddin, Hafiz Kasim and Khalil Ahmad. Later members of both communities and officials had dinner together. “I am glad that the matter has been resolved through peaceful talks,” said Tripathi. Devotees used to put up loudspeaker on the temple during Shivratri and dismounted it after celebrations. The tradition continued till 2007.

A controversy erupted in 2007 when the temple priest played a cassette of devotional songs and ‘aarti’ till late evening even after the celebrations. Muslims objected to it and both the sides agreed that the loudspeaker would be dismounted immediately after celebrations.

The compromise formula was being followed since then but a fresh controversy broke on Ram Navmi this year when the priest again played ‘aarti’ and devotional songs till late in the evening. Muslims objected to it and reminded the Hindus about the agreement. The matter was reported to the police and heavy force was deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incident. The police later dismounted the loudspeaker and kept it in their custody.