Religious harmony marks tazia processions in Surat

Over 350 tazias were taken out in a procession on Wednesday amid tight security to mark the Muharram in Surat. All tazias from different localities of the city converged at Zamba Bazaar area of the city and over one lakh Muslims have assembled on the tazia route. In a show of solidarity, Hindus, Christian and Parsis in large numbers offered coconuts and rose petals to the tazias and paid respect. The tazia started from Zampa Bazaar and passed through Bhagal, Chowk Bazaar and Muglisara before culminating at Ved road in the evening. Police have made elaborate arrangements and also diverted traffic on main roads for smooth passage of tazia procession.

Surat police have deployed more policemen at strategic areas, procession route and video recorded the procession. Police mobile vans mounted with CCTV cameras were pressed into service to keep a watch on the notorious elements.

Surat city BJP president Nitin Bhajiyawala, mayor Ashmita Shiroya, Congress leaders, BJP MLAs and MP, Surat police commissioner Ashish Bhatia and Surat Municipal Commissioner M Thennarasan, and Swami Ambrishanandji of Hindu Milan Mandir at Sonifalia felicitated 10 tazias for best art and handicraft work at Bhagal cross road.

Secretary of Surat City Tazia Committee Riyaz Shaikh said, “This is for the first time BJP city unit president Nitin Bhajiyawala had attended the tazia procession. This year over 350 permits had been issued by the tazia committee.”