Hyderabad: Mild use of force by police to disperse youth after a fire accident during Milad procession at Charminar on Thursday night triggered rumours with some social media handles spreading false claims that there was an attempt to enter the temple abutting the monument.
The city police, however, clarified that the procession was peaceful. Police Commissioner C.V. Anand said on Friday that Ganesh and Milad processions concluded peacefully in Hyderabad, reflecting communal harmony.
“Request people not to believe or spread rumors. We assure citizens that the situation is peaceful, under control due to tireless efforts of City Police and faith and cooperation from both communities,” he said.
Milad processions were originally scheduled on September 16 but in view of Ganesh festival and on an appeal by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the processions were postponed to September 19.
The Ganesh immersion procession was conducted on September 17 amid tight security.
An attempt to create communal tension near Charminar was made during Ganesh procession when a burqa-clad girl was seen with Hindu youth. Some Muslims raised an objection after they found that the girl in burqa is Shruti. She was with her Hindu friend. Police acted swiftly to whisk away the girl and her friend, who had come from Warangal to watch Ganesh procession.
Police said they were investigating. Local residents say it was deliberate attempt to give an impression that a Muslim girl is moving around with her Hindu boyfriend.
On Thursday All India Sunni United Forum and other organisations took out Milad processions, which continued in different parts of the city throughout the day.
The procession at historic Charminar continued till late in the night. A fire broke out in DJ van, sparking some tension in the area. As police and fire services department vehicles were stationed at Charminar, they swung into action to douse the fire immediately.
As police resorted to mild use of force to control the crowd, it set off rumours. Majlis Bachao Tehreek leader Amjed Ullah Khan criticised the police lathi charge. Everything was going peaceful then what was the reason for the lathi charge, he asked. The police commissioner was quick to deny reports of lathi charge.
However, some social media handles even tried to spread rumours that the participants in the procession tried to breach the security cordon and attack the temple abutting the historic monument.
Maulana Hafez Muzaffar Hussain Khan Bandanawazi, Convenor of Markazi Milad Juloos, clarified that there was a minor fire in the generator connected to the sound system, which was quickly contained. He said there was no violence during our procession. He thanked the police for their cooperation in smooth and peaceful conduct of the event.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Commissioner has said he will discuss with all stakeholders of all religions and sects what can be done to control the menace of DJs. “Political parties also need to be involved to get a lasting solution. Perhaps some legal intervention also may be needed,” he tweeted while reacting to the concern voiced by a citizen.
“The worst thing everywhere which is unbearable is DJs. They kill all of us with their stupidity. Think of it, Sir,” posted a netizen.
Many people have been complaining about the menace of high decibel DJ systems used during the processions. The ear-splitting DJ music causes severe inconvenience to citizens.
People on social media platforms also flagged violations of traffic rules during the processions. They referred to triple riding by youngsters, rash driving, forcibly stopping traffic at several places to do dangerous stunts on roads and driving bikes with modified silencers to cause loud noise.
Urdu newspapers like Siasat also voiced concern on how the unruly actions of youth violating the sanctity of the Milad procession. Despite appeals by various Muslim organizations, the youth indulged in dangerous stunts on their motorbikes and caused inconvenience to road users in many places. The newspaper highlighted how no one has control over these youth who came out on roads just to create a nuisance.
The newspaper underlined the need for these youth to ponder how their actions in the city could have negative consequences for Muslims in other towns and villages.
