15, Sep 2015

Ganesh Chathurthi festivities are likely to coincide with Bakrid that may fall between September 22 and 24.
Written by Aditi Raja
Vadodara Published:Sep 15, 2015, 2:51
Three years ago Muslims had invited Hindus to install a Ganesh idol outside Idgah Masjid compound in Pratapnagar here during Ganesh Chaturthi, but this year it has turned into a contentious issue between the two communities as Bakrid coincides with the 10-day festival in the later half of September.
Muslims have objected to the presence of an idol just outside the masjid compound gate during Bakrid and after talks between the two communities broke down, the mutawalli of the Masjid has written to the city police chief, apprehending law and order problem.
“The compound is the property of the Idgah Masjid and belongs to the Wakf board. I requested organisers of the Ganesh pandal that since Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) is coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi festivities this year, they must shift the idol as Muslims do not worship idols. Presence of an idol on the premises will hurt sentiments of many Muslims. After the mandal refused to shift the pandal, I requested the police commissioner to look into the matter as the issue could snowball into a law and order problem,” said mutawalli Syed Aamirullah Shukranullah.