Haridwar
There was an uproar over the issue of invitation to Muslim MLAs in a government program in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. On the occasion of Uttarakhand Foundation Day, a program was organized by the district administration at Har Ki Paidi Ghat. Here a controversy arose over the issue of inviting three Muslim MLAs from the area. In fact, Ganga Sabha, the organization that manages the ghat, strongly opposed calling Muslim leaders.
A cultural program and light show was organized on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and many other BJP leaders. As per protocol, the district administration had invited BSP MLA from Laksar Mohammad Shahzad, Congress MLA from Piran Kaliyar Furkan Ahmed, Congress MLA from Mangalore Qazi Nizamuddin.
However, none of the three Muslim MLAs who were invited attended the event. It was argued on behalf of Ganga Sabha organization that the three Muslim MLAs should not have been invited. The reasoning behind this was that non-Hindus have not been allowed to enter the ghat for a long time. The British had also made it a rule under the Haridwar Municipal Act 1935.
Bajrang Dal’s State Coordinator Anuj Walia said in this matter, ‘We had expressed strong objection to calling Muslim MLAs. The administration admitted its mistake and then told us that the MLA will not come here for the program. A member associated with Ganga Sabha said that some issues were raised, but it was confirmed that no MLA was coming. He refused to comment further and said that everything was fine.
Regarding this, BSP MLA Mohammad Shahzad said, ‘We are not concerned about the opposition from right-wing organizations. We know and respect the sanctity of Ganga and Har ki Pauri. I don’t go to government programs because BJP leaders hijack them and elected public representatives are not welcomed.
At the same time, both the Muslim MLAs of Congress Party – Qazi Nizamuddin and Furkan Ahmed said that they were not in Uttarakhand when this program took place. Both the MLAs cited the reason for campaigning for the assembly elections in Maharashtra.
