Twin blasts: Varanasi's secular fabric intact

Varanasi, Mar 12 (UNI) The bomb blasts in Varanasi not only failed to create a wedge between Hindus and Muslims living in this temple town, but had a unifying effect on the two communities and triggered calls for communal amity.

No comunal frenzy was reported from the temple town, while there have been several instances of Hindu-Muslim amity in the aftermath of the incident.

The twin blasts, at Sankatmochan temple and Cantonment Railway Station on Tuesday evening, had claimed at least 17 lives and seriously wounded scores of others. The Uttar Pradesh police suspects the hand of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the blasts.

Yesterday, a large number of 'burqa' clad Muslim women staged a 'dharna' at the Lahurabeer area demanding issuance of 'fatwa' (edict), seeking death for the terrorists, without any further delay.

The demonstrators said while the terrorists had now descended from ''Kashmir to Kashi,'' the community was yet to react to the situation.

One of the demonstrators, Haseena Begum said the 'fatwa' would foster communal harmony among Hindus and Muslims. ''It will also de-motivate the militants.'' She, however, lamented that fingers were being pointed towards Muslims ever since terrorists had started targetting Hindu temples.

''The responsibility of Muslim luminaries and religious leaders has become more pronounced in its wake,'' she observed.

Mohd Javed underlined the need for the whole community to forge a united front against terrorism and foil the ultras' nefarious designs.

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