Ram Navami violence: In Asansol, Muslims come together to protect houses of Hindus who fled

At a time when the Asansol-Raniganj area in West Bengal is simmering with tension following a clash between Hindus and Muslims, gestures of Muslim residents of Sinthla Dangal of Asansol shows that all is not lost. Some Muslims have grouped up to protect houses and business units of local Hindus who have fled after the violence.
 

Maulana Imdadul Rashidi, imam of Noorani Masjid at Sinthla Dangal, lost his son during the riots which began a day after Ram Navami. When his 16-year-old son's body was recovered, locals were gearing up to retaliate, but Rashidi urged people to maintain peace.

"My faith teaches me peace and thus I urged everyone to maintain peace. My family has suffered a huge loss, but I don't want people to turn it into an excuse to spread violence," Rashidi said on Sunday.
Following his advice, the residents ensured that the Hindu families living there were not harmed. They also ensured security of the properties of those who fled. They even formed a group to make sure that a Shiv temple — the only temple in the area — was not rummaged.