Communal tensions have been reported at Kundaspara in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Fakharpur Police station. It is reported that a Savitri Vat is located in the area where villagers gather to offer their prayers. The villagers claim that recently, an attempt was made by Muslims to occupy the spot forcibly.
It was also claimed that people from the Muslim community, with the intention to take control of the site, throw animal parts and garbage to defile the place. Thus, when Hindus reach the place to offer their prayers, certain goons from the Muslim community chased them away.
When Hindus protested against it, people from the other community indulged in stone-pelting. Four people, including the BJP booth president, were injured in the incident. The villagers also claim that they had written to the Police several times complaining about the Police of people from the other community but no action was taken and their concerns were not addressed.
Patrika also reported that the villagers had threatened to convert their religion if justice is not served to them. They are reported to have said that since it appeared to be a crime for Hindus to offer their prayers at their religious site under the Yogi government, then converting to other faiths appeared to be an acceptable course of action.
However, when OpIndia.com contacted the local police station, they denied that anyone had issued any threat to convert their religion. The Police also said that it was more of an incident between two families rather than two communities. We were told, “A Muslim family lives right next to the Chabutra and they throw garbage towards the place of worship against which people protested. So a minor conflict erupted as a consequence between the two sides. It wasn’t an instance of conflict between Hindus and Muslims as such, it was a dispute between two families.”
The Police further stated that efforts were currently on to resolve the dispute. A Panchayat was also organized for the purpose where people from both communities participated. The situation is said to be under control and the Police said that a boundary wall will soon be constructed to settle the matter.