A fresh row has erupted in Ludhiana over remarks made by Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri during the ongoing Shri Hanumant Katha with the city's Shahi Imam, Maulana Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi strongly objecting to his comments.
Shastri, while speaking about Punjab raised the issues of drug abuse and religious conversion, saying both needed to be stopped. His remarks, particularly those concerning religious conversion and the Sikh community have drawn criticism from religious leaders in Ludhiana.
The Shahi Imam has called an emergency meeting over the matter and demanded that Shastri withdraw his remarks and issue a public apology.
What sparked the controversy?
The controversy began after spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri spoke about what he described as two major issues facing Punjab drug abuse and religious conversion.
While referring to the Sikh community, Shastri said that people who follow the Guru Granth Sahib should not be influenced to convert to another religion.
He said he would stand with his Sikh brothers against religious conversion and asserted that conversions would not be allowed in Punjab. His remarks subsequently triggered a debate in Ludhiana.
Shastri also said he would not elaborate further on the matter, stating that he did not want to face an FIR.
Shahi Imam objects to remarks
Reacting to Shastri's comments, Shahi Imam Maulana Usman Rehmani Ludhianvi Sani strongly objected to the remarks. He said he had no objection to anyone propagating their own religion, but argued that making objectionable comments about another religion in the name of religious preaching was inappropriate.
The Shahi Imam said Ludhiana's people have traditionally respected all religions and maintained communal harmony, including in the years following the Partition of 1947.
He also objected to Shastri's alleged reference to the people of Ludhiana as 'pagal' (mad).
The Shahi Imam further questioned Shastri's remarks involving 'Abdullah' in Dubai and Punjab. He asked why a different attitude should be adopted towards a Muslim in Dubai and a Muslim in Punjab, arguing that people should not be treated differently on the basis of religion.
The Shahi Imam has demanded that Dhirendra Shastri withdraw the controversial remarks and publicly apologise.
He warned that if Shastri does not apologise, he would file a police complaint against him as well as the organisers of the Shri Hanumant Katha.
The controversy has since broadened into a discussion in Ludhiana over religious harmony, communal relations and the manner in which sensitive issues such as conversion and drug abuse are addressed in public religious gatherings.