RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, April 8: The Ram Navami procession in Khunti, which was planned this year with pomp and show after two years of discontinuation during the corona pandemic, is on the verge of getting cancelled this year.
The situation came after the registration of an FIR against those allegedly responsible for an incident of stone-pelting in the district following a dispute over taking out the Ram Navami procession in the town.
“An emergency meeting of the Central Ram Navami Mahasamiti was held on Thursday evening at the Central Office at Netaji Chowk after stone-pelting took place during Ram Navami’s Tuesday procession and violent clashes on Wednesday morning in Khunti. It was unanimously decided in the meeting that the programs of Shri Ram Navami Mahotsav would not be organized this year in protest against the administrative action. After the decision, procession organisers have started removing posters, banners and flags placed at different places for Ram Navami celebration” a local resident said.
The general secretary of the Mahasamiti Jitendra Kashyap confirmed the situation, sharing why the decision was taken.
“After the untoward incident in the city on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the Central Ram Navami Mahasamiti and Anjuman Islamia expressed regret over the incident in a meeting of the District Level Peace Committee held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner at Nagar Bhawan on Thursday. After mutual reconciliation, a decision to celebrate the festival with great pomp and show in a cordial atmosphere was taken. It was assured that the untoward incident would not recur. But after the meeting, the members of the committee got the information that a case has been registered against 55 people including the office bearers of Ram Navami Mahasamiti and 500 unknown people under serious sections regarding the said unpleasant incident. So, in protest against this dual attitude of the administration, it was decided to cancel all the events of the four-day Shri Ram Navami Festival of Khunti by holding an emergency meeting,” he said.
“Neither the procession of Navami will be taken out, nor will the fair held on Dashami and weapon-handling competitions be organized. The members of the committee will register their protest by wearing a black badge after flag worship on the day of Navami,” he added.
The superintendent of police of the district Aman Kumar when contacted for his comment said that the issue will be sorted out soon and all efforts will be made to not have any complaints taking police action.
“One should not take police action otherwise. Registration of FIR does not mean those named in the FIR are the culprit and action will be taken against them. Registration of FIR is a very common legal step and after registration of FIR police investigates the matter and if required then takes action,” he said.
SP Kumar said, “A meeting will be held in the presence of the deputy commissioner in the matter today and it is expected that the issue will be sorted out.”
