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Why has VHP chosen Pirana for its meet, ask villagers
Meeting coinciding with Bakr-Id can cause conflict in area, they say

 Satish Jha l Ahmedabad 

Pirana, a sleepy village 25 km from Ahmedabad city, is worried that Bakr-Id on November 7 this year may not pass off peacefully.

The village has an almost equal number of Hindus and Muslims, which seems but natural as the 600-year-old dargah (shrine) of Sufi saint Imam Shah Baba is located here. The saint had devotees from both the communities and his dargah is still visited by Hindus as well as Muslims.

However, despite its tradition of Hindu-Muslim amity, Pirana's fragile peace is again under threat. From November 5, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is organising a three-day conference - called 'Dharm Prasar Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Sammelan' - in the village. The VHP has decided to lodge people coming for the conference at the dargah of the Sufi saint while the conference itself will be held at the village's Gurukul School which is run by the RSS.

Peace loving residents of the village are afraid that there may be conflict at the dargah on November 7, the day of Bakr-Id. l

VHP’s conference sparks fears of communal tension at Pirana
Dargah representatives request shifting of venue as conference coincides with Bakri Eid

Ahmedabad Mirror Bureau [email protected] 

Apprehending threats during the upcoming conference being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad at Pirana, the members of local the Imam Shah Baba Roja Sanstha trust, has made a request to the local authorities for shifting the venue to some other place.

VHP has planned to hold a conference at Pirana on November 5, 6 and 7 in which around 2,500 members are expected to take part.

The conference will be held at Gurukul School but the visitors will stay at the dargah, the seat of sufi saint.

Besides a high turn over of participants, it is this arrangement which is said to be the bone of contention.

Descendant of the dargah’s priest Azhar Saiyed said that the members of the trust have decided to give a fresh representation to the local authorities on November 3, suggesting that the venue of conference be shifted to some other place.

“The conference has been made to coincide with Bakri Eid which falls on November 7. A similar situation had arisen in the past which had led to communal tension,” he said.

Saiyed added that a representation which apprised the local police authorities about the event, was sent way back in June early this year.

It also mentioned that the large number of participants could lead to a communal tension in the area. However authorities did not take any steps.

“We are still hopeful that authorities will take an appropriate action,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police said that a proper assessment was being made to take stock of the situation. 

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Togadia to address Pirana meet, cops plan increased security

VHP leader will speak at meeting on Nov 7, the day of Bakrid this year

Satish Jha l Ahmedabad

The information that Pravin Togadia will be speaking on the last day of the three-day conference organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Pirana village seems to have spurred the police into action. Togadia, known for his allegedly 'inflammatory speeches', will be speaking on November 7 which coincidentally also happens to be Bakrid day this year.

The Ahmedabad district police have instructed the organizers of the conference as well as the trustees of the Sufi dargah located in the village, not to do anything which could violate the sanctity of the shrine. They have also asked the organizers to give in writing the details of exactly what they plan to do during the three days of the conference.
On Thursday, a team of police officials went to meet the dargah trustees and asked them for details of all that they planned to do during the three-day event. Sources in the police said that the trustees agreed to give in writing the details sought by the police. However, what could create trouble in the village is the fact that around 30 members of the VHP will be staying at the dargah over the three days of the conference.
"Considering the situation, we have asked the organisers to ensure that the VHP members only stay at the dargah and not hold any event there. Since the shrine is a symbol of communal harmony, we have asked the organisers not to do anything which may be seen as a violating the sanctity of the shrine," said Rajiv Ranjan Bhagat, superintendent of police, Ahmedabad (rural).