Team Clarion
MORADBAD – In a disconcerting turn of events, Moradabad, celebrated for its brass craftsmanship and Ganga-Jumani Civilization influence, is grappling with rising sectarian tensions. Faheem Khan, reporting for Urdu daily Inqulab, brings attention to the disquieting trend of minority communities facing resistance in purchasing houses within areas dominated by the majority community.
Today’s Urdu Inqulab has reported that prominent figures like Hafiz Hikmatullah and Sufi Saint Amba Prasad, celebrated for their unity during the war of independence against the British, now witness their legacy overshadowed by recent bans on minority community members purchasing houses in majority community areas of Moradabad. This trend has unfortunately widened the gap between communities.
The paper highlighted a specific case in Mohalla Bazi Gran, where a member of the minority community successfully bought a house from a majority community member, with proper registration. However, objections from some members of the majority community ensued, leading to a gathering at Khatri Dharamshala. Here, an expression of unwillingness to tolerate any minority family in the area and a demand for the return of the house registry were voiced.
Satish Dhal, a resident of the area, emphasized the historical significance of the locality, underlining the role played by its elders in the fight for independence against the British. Despite this, some sectarian elements are now opposing the presence of minority communities based on cultural and religious practices.
The paper emphasized that the issue of restrictions on buying and selling houses began in Lajpat Nagar and has now extended to Bazi Gran through Kat Ghar. Although these areas have traditionally stood as a testament to common heritage, recent days have seen blurred borders and growing tensions.
It noted that in response to these challenges, some members of the majority community have chosen to leave the old city, relocating to new populations. Conversely, members of the minority community, deeply rooted in the old city, face challenges in purchasing houses without objections. Satish Dakhl has appealed to district officials to intervene, urging the return of the house registry to the individual belonging to the majority community.
The situation underscores a concerning demographic shift in the city and calls for immediate attention to preserve the longstanding religious tolerance and communal harmony that Moradabad has been known for.
