<p>Incidentally, the temple of Sheetla Devi exists barely a few yards from a mosque at Barnaha ltown in UP’s Mainpuri district, about 250 kilometres from here. About four days ago, the idol was damaged, allegedly by a goat that belonged to a Muslim woman. The news triggered tension in the town as Hindus thought it was a “deliberate act” by miscreants.<br /><br />“Soon, a big crowd assembled near the temple and started shouting slogans,” police sources said. Tension gripped the town and the nearby areas as people flocked to the temple.<br /><br />Station house officer Gurumukh Singh convened a meeting of elders and eminent people on Thursday to sort out the matter and avert any communal backlash. <br /><br />Those present at the meeting expected a fierce verbal duel but instead had a pleasant surprise when some Muslims offered to install a new idol at the temple.<br />Quasim Ali, a local Muslim youth who took the lead, said his community would collect donations from its members for this purpose and requested that the matter be closed. Obviously pleased by the initiative, the Hindus also offered to chip in with financial support in their endeavour, Ali said.<br /><br />“We have collected a couple of thousands and expect to raise sufficient money to install the idol of Sheetla Mata in the temple very soon,” Quasim added.<br />DH News Service</p>
<p>Incidentally, the temple of Sheetla Devi exists barely a few yards from a mosque at Barnaha ltown in UP’s Mainpuri district, about 250 kilometres from here. About four days ago, the idol was damaged, allegedly by a goat that belonged to a Muslim woman. The news triggered tension in the town as Hindus thought it was a “deliberate act” by miscreants.<br /><br />“Soon, a big crowd assembled near the temple and started shouting slogans,” police sources said. Tension gripped the town and the nearby areas as people flocked to the temple.<br /><br />Station house officer Gurumukh Singh convened a meeting of elders and eminent people on Thursday to sort out the matter and avert any communal backlash. <br /><br />Those present at the meeting expected a fierce verbal duel but instead had a pleasant surprise when some Muslims offered to install a new idol at the temple.<br />Quasim Ali, a local Muslim youth who took the lead, said his community would collect donations from its members for this purpose and requested that the matter be closed. Obviously pleased by the initiative, the Hindus also offered to chip in with financial support in their endeavour, Ali said.<br /><br />“We have collected a couple of thousands and expect to raise sufficient money to install the idol of Sheetla Mata in the temple very soon,” Quasim added.<br />DH News Service</p>