BHILWARA, INDIA, August,1, 2001: The tension that was brewing in the Rajasthan town of Asind after a group of Gujjars allegedly razed an ancient mosque and installed a Hindu icon at the site, was defused after a marathon five-hour discussion between leaders of the Hindu and Muslim communities, where authorities managed to persuade the former to remove an icon of Lord Hanuman which the Muslims said was installed at the site of a 16th century mosque which stood in the precinct of a temple. The government has described the situation in Asind, 200 km from Jaipur, as being “under control” and said that a large police force has been deployed as a precautionary measure. Trouble had erupted on Friday when a 300-strong mob demolished the mosque built by Akbar.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike