Muslims tone down after Hindus threaten economic boycott

Incident regarding the market during the Pola Festival in Yavatmal

Yavatmal (Maharashtra) – A three-day fair is held to celebrate the Pola festival in the Kedareshwar temple area in the city, which begins on 2nd September. Although 90% of the shops in this market are owned by Muslims, a local Muslim organisation issued an objectionable pamphlet. However, when the devout Hindus responded strongly and submitted a memorandum, the Muslims apologised and adopted a more conciliatory stance.

1. The Muslim organisation Gulshan-e-Raza Trust in Yavatmal distributed a pamphlet stating, ‘We request all Muslim brothers not to send the women of your household to shop in the market held during the Pola festival. The current environment is not good. Incidents of eve-teasing also occur. So, do not send women to this market in order to save some money’.

2. Hindus expressed outrage over this pamphlet. Subsequently, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal released a statement saying, ‘Every year, many non-Hindus (Muslims) do business in this market; however, incidents of molestation of Hindu women and sisters occur each year. This festival belongs to the Hindu community. Therefore, we request Hindu mothers and sisters to take special care while shopping during Pola. This year, purchase only from Hindu vendors. Protect our festival and our people. Celebrate by trading with those who strive to protect cows, ensuring your sister, mother, and daughter remain safe’.

3. The pamphlet concludes with the line, ‘We stand in brotherhood with those who embody Hindutva’ and also includes the Muslim organisation’s earlier fatwa.

4. On behalf of the entire Hindu community, a memorandum was submitted to the District Collector in this regard. Devout Hindus also released a video on social media stating, ‘Even outsiders come here for business. During these two days of the festival, turnover worth up to ₹50 crore occur in Yavatmal, involving black money. If the environment is bad, why do Muslims set up shops in this market ? They should be denied permission to set up stalls in the fair and instead, set up their shops in the Postal Maidan area. Hindu women should avoid purchasing from shops where the environment is bad’.

5. Following this firm stance by the devout Hindus, Mohammad Isaq Shaikh, the president of the Gulshan-e-Raza Trust, immediately issued a statement saying, ‘We had requested Muslim women not to visit the Pola market. Our intention was not to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. If our request has hurt anyone’s feelings, we apologise’.

Editorial Perspectives

• If Hindus everywhere adopt the same approach as in this case, those who repeatedly oppress Hindus would be put on leash !
• Religious fanatics — who themselves molest Hindu girls and women during this market and then issue deceptive fatwas — are thus exposed.
• Did the religious fanatics intend to create chaos in the market by appealing to Muslim women not to visit the market ? This raises significant suspicion !