The world’s largest Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra will be held in Ahmedabad on July 1.
The Ahmedabad Police Department has devised a novel plan to promote communal harmony ahead of the Rath Yatra, which will include members from both communities.
As per the plan, 16 teams, including one from the Ahmedamad Police, will participate in the harmony tourney in which each squad will comprise members from both the Hindu and Muslim communities.
The police are also holding blood donation camps in the areas where the Rath Yatra procession passes, encouraging people to take part.
In Ahmedabad, which will witness the 145th Rath Yatra this year, the chariot procession starts from the Jamalpur temple and returns to the same spot after travelling for 22 km through Gol Limda, Khadia, Kalupur, Saraspur, Delhi Darwza, Prem Darwaza, Pankor Naka and Manekchowk.
The route covers Muslim and some Hindu majority areas. There have been incidents of clashes between the Rath Yatra and Muharram processions in the past. As a result, keeping the situation under control is always a challenge for the city police.
Police Commissioner Sanjay Shrivastav said the elders from both the communities are working with the police to ensure a hassle-free Yatra.
“The cricket tourney is part of our effort to involve the youth from both the communities to maintain harmony in the city,” he said.
Muslim community representative Maulana Tahir said, “Our ancestors have always supported communal harmony, as no religion can survive without brotherhood and love. We are here to spread peace and love by participating in the tournament.”
Head priest of the Jagannath temple, Mahant Deelip Das, welcomed the steps taken by the police for communal harmony, saying: “We are here to celebrate the festival with all our fellow citizens.”