Coimbatore: With tension rising between the Hindu and Muslim outfits in the district, residents and several organizations have called for restraint. While some of the organizations are planning to hold a meeting with all the religious leaders, others have sought the intervention of the district administration to ensure peace and harmony.
V Nandakumar, president of Universal Brotherhood Association, said, “The protests and the counter protests that are being conducted by both the Hindu and Muslim outfits have significant impact on the common people. Even though the relationship between a Hindu and Muslim has not changed much, there is a constant sense of unrest.” Following the communal tension in 2016, the association had conducted a meeting with all the industrialists, religious leaders and other important people to restore communal harmony.
Pointing out that hate messages were being spread on social media platforms, igniting tension, he said the government should take strong action to curtail such messages. S R Abbas, a resident from Karumbukadai, said it was the time to stand united and support each other. “When someone makes a remark in the public and hurt our religious sentiments, all we expect is support from the brothers of other religions by condemning that act. When we are hurt, even a small support from our brethren will strengthen the bond.”
M Abdul Hakkim, secretary of Jamaat e Islami Hind, said such incidents (derogatory speeches) were setting a bad example and should not be encouraged. “So far, the blasphemous speech has not affected the cordial relationship among the people in the city. But if the tension continues to prevail, it might have a significant impact. Before that, the government should intervene and take immediate steps to diffuse tensions.”
Explaining that everyone wanted peace but the same could not be achieved without justice being delivered, he said the government should take stringent action against those who deliver hate/provocative speeches and ensure that the same was not repeated.
Another resident Riyaz said the business people and the middle-class were the most affected by the communal disharmony, as their livelihood was at stake. “At a time when we are struggling to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is adding further stress to us.”
R Ravindran, secretary of Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore, said the personal attacks against each other should be avoided at the political platforms, because along with the peace and harmony of the city, development of the city would also be degraded. He said they were planning to organize a meeting with all the religious leaders, non-governmental organizations and other important people to sort out the issue at the earliest.
Activist C G S Manian said more than 90% of the public were together and the friction between a small group of people - who are attempting to fuel an issue for their personal gain – was leaving a bitter impact on society. “The district administration should intervene and hold a meeting with the religious leaders to sort out the issue.”