Peaceful Eid at clash-hit Rajiv Park

Allaying apprehensions of communal tension, residents peacefully offered namaz at a colony park in North-east Delhi, which had witnessed a clash last month.

Residents of Shri Ram Colony peacefully offered the namaz of Eid at the Rajiv Park in Khajuri Khas area on Saturday.

The park, also known as Ramleela Ground, was in news for tension between two communities, after a clash broke out between RSS volunteers and boys from a minority community on June 28 over the use of the park.

The RSS Shakha was held at the park early in the morning and members of Muslim community stood guard and helped to ensure that no miscreant spoilt the atmosphere, said Veeenu Bansal, DCP of North-east Delhi police.

The RSS cadre vacated the ground at 6am and all apprehensions that they could use the occasion for show of the strength were proved to be totally baseless and motivated. RSS cadres vacated the ground in time to allow their Muslim brethren, Bansal said.

The local Hindus, too, helped cleaning the ground and prepare it for namaz by laying of mats. Devotees started offering namaz at the ground from 9.30am onwards, which was attended by over 5,000 people, the officer said.

Last year just before the Ramleela, a rift had developed between the communities over the construction of a temporary platform to hold the Ramleela at the park.

Even an FIR was registered because of simmering tension and the conflict that erupted.

Recently, some people belonging to different sections and interests have been resorting to rumour-mongering about communal tension in the locality and have expressed apprehensions about the simultaneous holding of RSS Shakha and namaz on Eid on the Ramlila Ground, Bansal said.

On Wednesday, accusing the RSS of spreading communal tension in the colony, a CPI(M) delegation had called on LG Najeeb Jung seeking action.

The police had launched an initiative ‘Aman Ka Agaz’ following reports of tensions, with the aim to re-establish bonds of trust between the two communities. Also, a number of confidence-building measures were taken and interactive sessions were held to bring them closer and find solution to their grievance, added the officer.