The gesture of an Imam in the violence-hit Asansol is the only good news coming from West Bengal that has been seething in communal tension since Ram Navami processions.

The appeal of peace by Maulana Imdadul Rashidi, Imam of a mosque in Asansol, following the mysterious death of his son has brought a sense of calm in Asansol.

Advertisement

Rashidi’s 16-year-old son went missing after communal clashes in Rail Par area on Tuesday. His body was found on Wednesday night and identified on Thursday.

As per The Indian Express news report, the imam of a mosque in West Bengal’s Asansol told a congregation that he would leave the mosque and town if there was any retaliation for his son’s death in Ram Navami-related violence.

His appeal at the time of a major loss in his life is being seen as the major instrument in calming the community in Asansol.

As per The Indian Express report, “The Imam was instrumental in calming the angry youth and cooperated with the administration. We are proud of him. Despite the pain he is suffering following the loss of a son, he appealed for peace,” said Jitendra Tiwari, Mayor of Asansol.

“We did not expect this from a father who has just lost his son. This is an example, not only for Bengal but for the entire country. People started to cry after his speech. I was present there… I was awestruck. There was anger among the youth after the body was found, but the message for peace struck the right chord. He is popular in the area. If he had not appealed for peace, Asansol would have been caught in a fire,” said Mohammed Nasim Ansari, councillor of Ward 25 in Asansol, where the victim’s family lives.

On Thursday, Union minister Babul Supriyo and a senior West Bengal BJP leader was stopped by police from entering the Asansol-Raniganj area.

Supriyo, the MP from Asansol, tried to enter the Railpar area in Paschim Bardhaman district, where police stopped his car, citing security reasons.
A group of people shouted slogans against the minister and demanded that he immediately leave the area.

Supriyo claimed that two FIRs were lodged against him after which he also filed a complaint against the police.

State BJP Mahila Morcha president Locket Chatterjee was also barred from visiting the affected areas as the situation continued to remain tense there.

Internet services remained suspended and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were clamped in the area, following clashes between two groups on Sunday and Monday over a Ram Navami rally at Raniganj, the police said.

The Asansol-Raniganj area, which has been on the boil since Sunday, over clashes following a Ram Navami rally. However, no fresh incident of violence was reported from the area since last night, the police said, adding that the situation was “under control”.