Radical Islamists tried to hault the renovation of the temple located in Ranipur village of Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Local extremists including Nihal, Anees Khan, Asghar Khan, Shoaib, Salim, Yunus, Achhe and Rais among others alleged that the renovation of the temple will lead to hindrances in the time of namaz in the mosque, as it’s located only 100 meters away. The area comes under the Nibai outpost of Bighapur police station.
Atleast 25 to 30 Hindu families reside in the Muslim village of Ranipur, which is accommodation of around 125 Muslim households. The Hindu community has a Shiva temple which is more than 70 years. They perform their religious functions like mundan, chhedan and marriage on the platform of this temple. The platform has walls and pillars but lacks a roof because the Muslim radicals oppose it and they argue that a mosque exists at a distance of 100 metres and any construction work will disrupt the prayers there.
The conflict reached the Bighapur police station from the police post on 7th-8th October and the authorities issued an official warning to 26 Muslims and 6 Hindus against any activities threatening law and order in the area. On 20th October the matter started making the rounds on social media. On 21st October, the local Dainik Jagran newspaper also published a report which also featured a comment from Rishikant Shukla, Circle Officer (CO) of the police station. He said that authorisation has to be taken from the administration before building a religious place. The villagers (Hindus) have been asked to get the permission and only then the construction work can be started. The report of this entire matter has been sent to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
Furthermore, the CO gave a statement claiming that official action is underway. A local police officer, who is presently the Station House Officer (SHO) of the police station, should be aware of this matter since an official warning has been put out. However, he categorically denied the conflict, but, then started providing clarification after he was informed about the CO’s remark citing media reports about the issue.
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