Clashes, tension between Tabligi and Sunni Muslims in Bardoli

This story from south Gujarat’s Bardoli is interesting. In recent times this is the third incident of Sunni-Tabligi clash in Gujarat. Some time back similar clash was noticed in Junagadh district, and before that in north Gujarat.

Ashiana nagar is 100% Muslim populated area of Bardoli where Surat based two Maulanas Zaqir Razak and Akhtar Razaq had organized a public meeting of Sunni Muslims. Sunni Maulanas started speaking in favor of Sunni jamat in their speeches.

When local Muslims from Wahabi Tabligi Devbandi Jamat came to know about this, they formed groups and rushed to the place where Sunni Jamat’s public meeting was on. Tabligis asked Sunni Jamat Maulanas to stop their speeches. This sparked off a clash between Sunni and Tabligi Muslims.

Some of the Muslims created fault in main power line in the area which resulted into complete dark. Both Surat based Maulana were shifted to one house in the area which was later surrounded and attack by stones by Tabligi Muslims. When Police team arrived, Tabligis left the place. Police took two Maulanas to highway with full security, from where they departed for Surat.

Sunni Muslim group’s Badar-e-Alam Sheikha filed complaint against Tabligi group, while Tabligi group’s Yusuf Khalili Lunat filed complaint against Sunni jamat’s two Surat based Maulanas and some local Muslims of Bardoli.

Yesterday when some Tabligi Jamat Muslims reached Sunni jamat mosque to offer Namaaz near Surti Jakat Naka National Highway Circle, they were prevented to enter the mosque complex by some Muslims of Sunni group. Those in Sunni group called other Sunni Muslims informing that Tabligi youths had came there to fight. Again groups were formed on both sides, however police arrived timely and could control the situation.

It should be mentioned here that Bardoli’s Sunni Bohra Community had submitted an application on 19th March before Bardoli Police on letterhead that for last some time persons including Ibrahim Dawood Memna, Mohmadali Dawood Meman and Badar-e-Aalam Ahmed Sheikh were harassing Trustees to control properties of Muslim community in town.