Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Objecting to the grant of permission for holding ‘Julus’(Procession) by the Muslims community on the roads of Canacona on the occasion of Eid Milad Nabi on Monday, Canacona residents stating this is done to create a rift in the society for political gains, asked Dy. Collector to deny any grant of permission for such a procession on the roads of Canacona by the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid Milad un Nabi on 16-09-2024.
Canacona residents also stated that the Julus by Muslims during Eid Milad un Nabi is not traditional nor a tradition with the very few Muslim families living in the taluka for ages now, it(Julus) has been forcefully organized for the past 5 years by people coming from Kumta, Dharwad, Hubli, Bhatkal, Margao and other parts.
In a letter to the Dy. Collector, Samrat Bhagat a resident of Canacona informed that it has come to the knowledge of Canacona people that an application has been submitted seeking permission to conduct ‘Julus’ (Procession) on roads by the Muslim community on the occasion of celebrations of Eid Milad un Nabi on Monday (16-09-2024).
‘This is on behalf of the people of Canacona, who strongly object to granting permission to conduct ‘JULUS’ on roads by the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid Milad un Nabi on 16-09-2024 and states that no permission shall be granted to conduct “JULUS” (Procession) on roads on the occasion.’
In his application to the taluka magistrate, Bhagat writes to look into the history of Canacona, where people are accustomed to holding specific significant processions which are traditional in nature and are followed from ancestral times such as Mallikarjun Utsav during Mahashivratri from Shristhal to Rajbag, Ganapati Visarjan processions from different areas, the Shrimant Shree Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Procession and processions during Church Services and Feasts, where are limited to certain areas and its surroundings and without disturbing any peace or tranquillity of the society.
Further stating that this ‘Julus’ has nothing to do with traditions that have been conducted for the past five years, not by the original Muslim residents of Canacona who have been living peacefully in the taluka for the last many years, but a large number of people including those travelling from Kumta, Dharwad, Hubli, Bhatkal, Margao and other parts are organizing it. “We sincerely don’t know for what purpose this Julus has been started in Canacona if not to demonstrate the community unity and strength, and this significant influx of people participating in the Julus mostly includes many unidentified individuals which itself becomes a security concern and a social disturbance in the society.
There are incidents reported from past history from various parts of the country, of inhuman acts done by anti-social elements such as pelting of stones on Shiv Jayanti procession and many more such acts which lead to disturbing peace and harmony. Moreover, on 16/09/2024) (Monday) there will be a traditional procession of Chaudi Sarvajanik Ganapati Visarjan from Chaudi to Palolem, and permitting Julus on the same day may lead to disturbing peace and harmony in the taluka.
‘We do not have any objection with respect to the celebrations of Eid Milad un Nabi by our Muslim community brothers in Canacona for that matter, but we strongly object to the “JULUS” (Procession) which is taken out on roads, as it is not part of the tradition of Canacona. I appeal to our Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate Eid Milad un Nabi in the mosque and in their Homes and not on the roads.
On the allegations that some people are opposing Julus in Canacona, Bhagat speaking to the media said, ‘There is misinformation being spread in the locality that we are opposing a particular religion, No, we are not opposing any religion nor any particular community. This is neither in our virtues nor in our Rituals (Sanskar). We have a tradition while we live in our Lord Mallikarjun abode to go along with 18 ponds taking along all the communities and their beliefs. The question is of ‘Julus’ which we hear now for only 4-5 years. We have 7-8 Muslim families living with us and are part of our traditions for many long years. We never heard about Julus by being amongst them as Julus is never their Sanskar (ritual) nor their tradition. Many Muslim community members who were visiting Canacona for trade and commerce have set up their houses, and this non-traditional practice of ‘Julus’ is started 4 years ago. This is tradition and should not be continued to make it a tradition. We never oppose any festival celebrations, but request our Muslim brethren are always welcome to celebrate their Eid and other occasions within the Mosques or at their residences just the way we as Hindus and our Catholic communities celebrate our Zatras and Feasts in our Temples and Churches, respectively.
