Mohd Akram/Trichy (Tamil Nadu)

After the Madras High Court ordered that "Merely because one religious group is dominating in a particular locality, it cannot be a ground to prohibit from celebrating religious festivals or taking processions of other religious groups through those roads," on the longstanding dispute between the Hindus and Muslims of a Tamil Nadu village over the route of a religious procession, both communities have decided to let bygones be bygones and embraced peace.

On Saturday, the Hindus and Muslims of the village V Kalathur of Preambular district, Tamil Nadu, hugged each and announced there is no enmity between them in the presence of the district officers, the village celebrated the three-day festival of the Selliamman temple, on a grand scale after 10 years.

It was in 2012 that Muslims of the village objected to the chariot with the deity passing through the roads where they lived, saying it was a sin. Tensions erupted and at times it took a violent turn that made the district administration to, at times, deny permission for the traditional annual temple festival. The procession was being allowed with restrictions and it was not allowed on its traditional route.

Following the Court verdict, the Muslims started a peace and reconciliation initiative in May last year.

The peacemaking started with Muslims hosting the Santhanakoodu festival V Kalathur Jamaat last year and inviting the Hindus to the festivities. That event helped in lessening tensions and restoring the trust between the people of the two communities.

Muslims and Hindus participating in the temple festival

On Saturday, villagers of both communities announced to end of the dispute in the presence of police and the District magistrate. This was followed by a grand celebration of the three-day festival. People of both religions left the past behind and made a new beginning. By meeting each other, all the old rivalries were also forgotten.

Veppanthattai Revenue Commissioner, District Superintendent of Police Mani, and Perambalur District Collector Sri Venkata Priya played the role of peacemakers as they invited representatives from both sides and held peace negotiations.

After the Muslims and Hindus announced they had no enmity and hugged each other in the presence of the district officials, Venkata Priya, DC. granted permission for the full-scale temple festival.

On a designated day, she flagged the celebration of the Selliamman temple festival to foster harmony between Hindus and Muslims in the village.

The two community leaders then jointly conducted the Swami Thiruveedi peacefully and in a joyous environment. A large number of government officials, police, and the public participated in the festival. Not only this, but the procession of the temple also passed through those roads and Muslim localities which had been the cause of conflict between the two communities for 10 years.

Jafar Ali, secretary of V Kalathur Jamaat, said, "We want peace to return to our village, so we ignored the past and extended support for the smooth conduct of the temple festival."

“The procession was warmly received by us. Udayyar, a member of the Ramasamy Temple Festival Organizing Committee, said, "Thanks to the Madras High Court and the district administration, they also played an important role in bringing about a settlement between Hindus and Muslims.

The villagers are very happy with this agreement. They want religious harmony to return in the upcoming festivals. District Collector P Sri Venkata Priya said, "We worked hard to resolve the dispute with the district police. Meanwhile, we have won their trust by meeting the needs of the villagers for basic amenities."