Bihar Police provide protection to 18 Hindu temples and 8 statues en route a Muslim procession in Munger

Interestingly, the request for protection came from the Muslim community

Barricaded statues

Munger (Bihar) – A special protection has been provided by the Police to 18 Hindu temples and 8 statues of prominent national figures, en route a Muslim procession for the ‘Chehlum’ festival. Bamboo barriers have been erected around these structures. After facing opposition from the BJP and the local residents, the barriers around the statues have been removed.

1. In the Peace Committee meeting organised by the Police, the Muslims demanded that protection be provided to all the temples and statues along the route of the procession, and the Police obliged. Statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, etc. have been protected.

2. Devout Hindu organisations have expressed outrage on the barrier protection. The BJP has warned the administration to remove these barriers within next 24 hours.

3. Pranav Kumar, BJP’s MLA from Munger, said that it is wrong to erect barriers around the temples and the statues. Navratri is the biggest festival of Hindus. Sadhus of the Akhadas organise Navratri procession but there has been no history of any disturbance.

Editorial Viewpoints

• Why is Muslim community demanding protection to Hindu temples ? The local Muslim community and the Police must explain this.

• It is worth noting that the Police very well know how the attacks on Hindu religious processions are led from the mosques, but as opposed to this case, they never deploy Police personnel at the mosques during Hindu religious processions.