The information that Pravin Togadia will be speaking on the last day of the three-day conference organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Pirana village seems to have spurred the police into action. Togadia, known for his allegedly ‘inflammatory speeches’, will be speaking on November 7 which coincidentally also happens to be Bakrid day this year.
The Ahmedabad district police have instructed the organizers of the conference as well as the trustees of the Sufi dargah located in the village, not to do anything which could violate the sanctity of the shrine. They have also asked the organizers to give in writing the details of exactly what they plan to do during the three days of the conference.
On Thursday, a team of police officials went to meet the dargah trustees and asked them for details of all that they planned to do during the three-day event. Sources in the police said that the trustees agreed to give in writing the details sought by the police. However, what could create trouble in the village is the fact that around 30 members of the VHP will be staying at the dargah over the three days of the conference.
“Considering the situation, we have asked the organisers to ensure that the VHP members only stay at the dargah and not hold any event there. Since the shrine is a symbol of communal harmony, we have asked the organisers not to do anything which may be seen as a violating the sanctity of the shrine,” said Rajiv Ranjan Bhagat, superintendent of police, Ahmedabad (rural).
Pirana has long been famous for the 600-year-old dargah of Sufi saint Imam Shah Baba who was revered by both Hindus and Muslims. His dargah has always been a symbol of communal harmony but that may soon be a thing of the past. It is looked after by Imam Shah Baba Sanstha Trust which has seven Hindus and three Muslims as members.
The conference will start on November 5. On this day, the current in-charge of the holy seat, Nanak Shahji Maharaj, will be felicitated by the members of the VHP. He will be taken from the shrine's gate to the venue of the meeting at Gurukul School in the village run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). On November 6, around 300 women are expected to attend the conference.
The conference, named Dharm Prasar Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Sammelan, is likely to be attended by more than 2,500 VHP members who will be coming to Pirana from all over the country. Two companies of State Reserve Police along with police inspectors and other personnel will be deployed to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident during the three-day event.
