Hajo: People and religious leaders of Hajo town, situated 35 km north of Guwahati, feel that politicians seeking votes shouldn't take to communal politics and help maintain Hajo's exemplary image as a bastion of religious harmony.
Religious heads of the revered 16th century Hayagriva Madhava Temple and 17th Hajo Powa Mecca Mosque have expressed concern over polarised politics slowly making a foray in Hajo.
The Hayagriva Madhava Temple, which also serves as a spiritual centre for Buddhists, and the Hajo Powa Mecca stands tall within close proximity of one another.
"Leaders vying for votes shouldn't divide the people on religious lines. Voters should be aware that politicians do not play on religious cards and must ensure that their representatives address development issues as well," said Painuruddin Ahmed, khadim (chief administrator) of Hajo Powa Mecca.
For long, Hindus and Muslims of Hajo have stood together in times of adversity emanating from communal tension and discord that had swept both Assam and India. "I am worried with the change of politics in Hajo. We don't want divisive politics here. But now, I have seen some political leaders pandering to their voters based on religious lines. Here, Muslims pay their obeisance at the Madhava temple and Hindus at Powa Mecca," said Siba Sarma, chief doley at the Hayagriva temple.
After the fall of Babri Masjid, people of Hajo decided not only to resolve their differences but also roll out a procession of Hindus and Muslims led by the chiefs of Hajo's two most revered religious sites to declare their communal togetherness.
The constituency has close to 1, 40,000 voters. Montu Ali, a local, said, "In the interior areas, there are no roads. We have to go Guwahati for proper treatment. The people here need development."