Highway blockade lifted after protesters assured of action against those responsible for the desecration of graves.
Team Clarion
JALANDHAR – Tensions flared here on Friday as Muslims took to the streets in protest against disruption of the burial rites of their dead in the Khambra Cemetery of the city. Protesters blocked the Nakodar-Jalandhar Highway for hours.
The protestors were outraged and demanded justice after security guards from a nearby church allegedly obstructed the burial rituals.
Allegations of desecration of the cemetery, including the disposal of bones after graves were dug, and ongoing construction activities by the church despite repeated complaints to the authorities fueled the community’s frustration.
In response to perceived inaction by the police despite several complaints, members of the Muslim community gathered after Friday prayers at Masjid-e-Quba in Khambra. Raising slogans against the police commissioner, they staged a sit-in protest, effectively blocking the highway as a form of civil disobedience. Expressing their discontent, Muslims vowed to pursue legal recourse if justice was not promptly served.
Former member of the Punjab Waqf Board, Kaleem Azad, condemned the denial of burial rights by the church, issuing an ultimatum to authorities for decisive action within ten days. He also threatened to escalate the protest if the demands of the Muslim community are not met by then.
In an attempt to defuse tensions, Assistant Commissioner of Police Cantt Sukhninder Singh and SHO Police Station Sadar, Bharat Masih, assured the Muslim community of swift action against the perpetrators within the stipulated timeframe. They also assured of investigation into the allegations of grave desecration and promised that those responsible will be held accountable.
The protesters lifted their blockade after the assurances, signaling a temporary resolution to the standoff. Present at the scene were leaders from the local mosque, including Gausia Masjid head Raza Mustafa, along with several social activists and community members.
The incident underscores the importance of upholding religious freedoms and respecting burial rights, emphasising the need for prompt and impartial action by authorities to address grievances and maintain communal harmony.