Sikhs, Muslims ink new chapter, amicably settle mosque dispute
LUCKNOW/MEERUT: In an era when religious passions run high and communities become emotional subjects, Sikhs and Muslims of Saharanpur have illustrated that there is still room for compromise and concord, by amicably resolving a long-pending dispute over a piece of land with a mosque.
This dispute had led to communal riots in July 2014, claiming lives of three people and damage of properties in Kutubsher area of the city. Several people were arrested and around 287 cases were filed against people of both communities.
The gurudwara management claimed the plot of land near its premises on Gurudwara Road as its own while Muslims said a mosque existed on this land.
But after both communities reached an amicable settlement on Wednesday, the mosque will be shifted to a nearby place and Sikhs will bear the cost of land and construction.
Appreciating the efforts of the district administration and senior police officials, Saharanpur’s divisional commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, “Both communities have set an example of harmony and showed that any issue can be resolved through meaningful dialogue. They sat together on Wednesday and discussed the issue at length in the presence of police and administrative officials. They agreed to end the dispute to keep peace and harmony intact in the area.”
President, Lucknow Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Rajendra Singh Bagga said, “This agreement shows that Indians can solve any dispute on their own. The maturity shown by the district administration and leaders of both the communities must be appreciated.”
State president of Shiromani Akali Dal Gurpreet Singh Bagga said that Sri Guru Singh Sabha purchased a piece of land adjacent to the gurudwara from a Muslim family. “When construction work started for extension of the gurudwara in Kutubsher area in July 2014, a group of Muslims objected, claiming that a personal mosque existed on the purchased land. Following the dispute, clashes broke out which soon turned into a riot that claimed the lives of three people and left 26 injured, besides loss of properties.” Later, a case was filed in the court and the dispute continued, halting construction of the gurudwara, he said.
Bagga said that the dialogue between members of the two communities started with intervention of district magistrate Alok Kumar Pandey. “On Wednesday both communities agreed that the Guru Singh Sabha will bear the cost of land for construction of a mosque at some other location. In reciprocation, Muslims will withdraw their claim of personal mosque at the disputed land,” he said.
Gurpreet Singh Bagga said, “We have purchased a 200 square yard plot of land for the mosque in Nadeem Colony which is Muslim dominated. Sikhs will also help in construction of the mosque. We believe in service to humankind, we don’t believe in violence so solving the matter is very important.” He also said that the cases pending in courts from both sides would be withdrawn after the compromise.
Meanwhile, Saharanpur’s Shahar Kazi Nadeem refused to comment on the compromise and said, “I don’t have much information about it and can comment on
it only after collecting details.”
A resident Muharram Ali Pappu said, “We have set an example for others to follow. This shows every matter can be settled with dialogue. Now a decent mosque will come up at the land given by the Sikh brothers. We will also perform Kar Sewa for the Gurudwara at the erstwhile disputed land. We are proud Indians who know to love and live in peace.”
Noted religious scholar and religious leader Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said, “This is a welcome step and I am always for brotherhood in society. This shows the composite cultural strength of our society.”
President of Lucknow’s Alambagh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Nirmal Singh said, “This is a great gesture by both communities. In 2014, when shops were burnt, we collected money not only for Sikh brothers but also for Muslims whose shops were damaged. We never discriminate when it comes to helping others.”