Now, Muslims plan ‘Tiranga Yatra’
AGRA: Pained by some sections projecting Muslims as a “community that doesn’t respect the national flag”, more so after the communal clashes in Kasganj, an activist here has decided to take out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in the Taj City on Monday.
Over 500 Muslims are expected to take part in it.
Social activist Shabana Khandelwal said she had already sought permission for the march from district magistrate Gaurav Dayal.
“A letter in this regard was submitted to the district magistrate’s office on Saturday afternoon. We will march as peace ambassadors, holding the tricolour, from Shaheed Smarak to MG Road and conclude the walk at the Collectorate where a memorandum will be handed over to the DM,” said Khandelwal.
However, Agra police officials said they were still to receive any intimation about the planned march from the DM’s office.
SP (city) Kunwar Anupam Singh told HT, “We have not received any information about a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in city on Monday. As a procedure, a report is sought from the police (by the administration) and is analysed. Only after that any decision is taken regarding approving or rejecting an application,” he said.
Khandelwal, who heads two women’s organisations -‘Sashakt Mahila Sena’ and ‘Saranchana’ -- and has allegedly links with the Congress party, said the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ would be a “totally non-political move”.
“I was pained after the Kasganj incident on Republic Day in which a youth was killed. Such incidents are shameful for our society. The fact is that Indian Muslims are no less ‘Hindustani’ and are committed to the nation,” she said.
Khandelwal said that due to certain political parties and groups, a message was being propagated that Muslims did not respect the tricolour. “We want to wipe out this myth. 500 Muslims from non-political background will hold the ‘Tiranga’ in hand and walk to communicate the message of peace,” she said.
Interestingly, this ‘Tiranga Yatra’, if it happens, will come exactly a week after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’, which could not be carried out as per the plan in the absence of relevant permissions. VHP members had gathered at the Shaheed Smarak but were not allowed to march on MG Road. Instead, the district magistrate and the SSP had reached the Shaheed Smarak to receive their memorandum of demands.