Mosque-Gurdwara dispute in Saharanpur will be settled amicably: Assurance by the Badal Government’s representatives

By Shahid Zubairi

Saharanpur (SNB): A delegation sent by Punjab Government and led by the Chairman of Punjab Minority Commission Munawwar Massih and former Director General of Police Izhar Alam, addressed a meeting today at the residence of former MLA and senior Congress politician Imran Masood. The leader of the delegation declared that they had been sent by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to find an amicable solution to the Gurdwara and Hasan Askari Mosque dispute. He emphasised that through dialogue and discussion with Sikh and Muslim representatives they will do everything possible to find a permanent and peaceful solution of the problem.

He said that Badal Government has restored more than 500 mosques in Punjab and that gurdwaras and mosques exist side by side in the state. He advised that the two minorities should solve their problems with mutual understanding. He explained that during the two days long visit the delegation will meet members of Guru Singh Sabha and Rabita Committee to seek a peaceful solution and that no one will be allowed to play politics on the issue. .

Addressing the meeting ex MLA Imran Masood briefed the delegation on the latest situation of the dispute and said that Muslims are also keen to find an amicable settlement to the dispute while many members of the Sikh community as well desire a peaceful solution of the dispute.

Senior leader Maulvi Ilyas Advocate explained the background of the issue while members of the Rabita Committee, Maulana Zahoor and Maulana Riyaz Nadvi also stressed on the need of a peaceful settlement.

It should be remembered that earlier even during the curfew following July 2014 Sikh-Muslim riots in the city, Chairman of Punjab Minority Commission, Izhar Alam had travelled to Saharanpur along with a delegation. This time however he had been sent by the Badal Government and the delegation under his leadership will have a discussion with Guru Singh Sabha delegation at Circuit House today in the evening and will try to reach a compromise between the two sides.

Representatives participating in the negotiations include Akali Dal’s MLA from Meler Kotla Farzana Alam, SGPC member Sardar Jaipal Singh Munda, Sardar Pardeep Singh Advocate, Sardar Gurpeet Singh, Munshi Muhammad Ashraf Zubairi, Shamshad Ali Khan Advocate and Nadeem Shaukat Khan.

Translated and slightly edited from Daily  Rashtriya Sahara, Delhi, 9 November 2014, by Urdu Media Monitor.Com