UP: Muslims try to take out own ‘tiranga yatra’

AGRA: Hundreds of Muslims, led by social activist Shabana Khandelwal, gathered at the Shahid Smarak on Monday for a Tiranga Yatra procession and demanded an end to the atrocities being committed in the name of Hindu ‘rashtra’ and 'Vande Mataram'.Though they were not allowed to take out their procession, as prior permission for the same had not been sought, they shouted slogans of “Hindustan Zindabad” and demanded action against those branding Muslims as Pakistanis. They said that slogans such as “Muslims ke do sthan Pakistan or kabristan” should be banned and criminal cases should be registered against those who raise them.Khandelwal said that Indian Muslims are no less patriot than their Hindu counterparts and are committed to the nation. She said, “a wrong message is being propagated in the society that Muslims have issues with Tiranga and today’s march was organised to send out a clear message across the nation that Muslims respect the Tri-colour and they can do anything for it”.She said, there should be no discrimination against Muslims and they should be provided security to end an atmosphere of fear they are living in. She said, mosques and madrassas should have been provided security by the government.Talking to media, Agra Shahar Mufti, Muddassar Khan who also participated in the procession, said that Muslims have made tremendous sacrifices during the Independence struggle and they have equal rights on their nation. He said that just foe their religion they should not be wrongly framed in cases in the name of cow slaughter and 'love jihad' . “This harassment need to end”, he said.Members of Muslim community comprising youths, Ulemas and senior community leaders led by Khandelwal also handed over a memorandum addressed to the President of India to the Agra administration.They demanded a judicial probe in the Kasganj violence and fair compensation to the family of Chandan Gupta, who was killed in the sectarian violence.