Around 300 devotees held a meeting at a river side temple in Daltonganj on Friday evening March 13 where a very senior BJP leader Durga Johri has been elected as ‘General’ of Sri Mahavir Nav Yuvak Dal for the coming Ramnavmi festival which is to begin from March 25 and is to conclude on April 2. ‘General’ is the chieftain for Ramnavmi and Muharram.Johri said, “This is my fifth term in which for one term I was the working General of Sri Mahavir Nav Yiuvak Dal the apex body for Ramnavmi festival. I believe I will get co operation of all the sections of people.”Johri said, “Believe me once my name was announced for General of the Sri Mahavir Nav Yuvak Dal many members of the Muslim community telephoned me and gave me their good wishes. I respect and honour their trust.”A member of the Central peace committee Daltonganj Imamuddin Khan said, “We are too happy to see Johri ji as General for the Ramnavmi festival. We will do all to extend co operation to him and his team for a peaceful festival.”
Muslims in Daltonganj felicitate members of Sri Mahavir Nav Yuvak Dal while the Hindus reciprocate it in mUharram by felicitating members of Muharram Inteezamia Committee. Sources said two mass festivals Ramnavmi and Muharram here in Palamu carry more germs of communalism than any other festivals.
Where right from saner elements of both the communities to civil and police officials remain on live wire.
To a question that passions start running high when Muslims object to passage of Ramnavmi procession on routes/ roads for which there is no licence issued by the administration to which Johri said, “We have asked our men to adhere and stick to only licensed routes/ roads and there should not be any diversion of it.”
SDPO Sadar Sandip Kumar Gupta giving police’s version said, “There cannot be any change of route/ road for Ramnavmi procession. Adherence to licence will be a must. Administration will not allow any diversion in any circumstances. We will verify every route/ road of the procession in advance.”
On the query that pre recorded cassettes containing provocative slogans, speeches hurting religious sentiments of other community etc are played in full volume on the public address system to which Johri said “ We will see that peace harmony and understanding between the communities remain intact and no harm comes in any form or way.”
SDPO Gupta said, “We will examine every pre recorded texts of the cassettes and if found objectionable the cassettes will be seized and discarded.”