Maharashtra village bar on Muslims’ business during festival

NASHIK/CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR:

Ahilyanagar district collector

Siddharam Salimath has ordered an inquiry into a Feb 22 resolution passed by the Madhi village, in Pathardi taluka of the district, "against Muslim traders from doing business during

Madhichi Yatra

."
The village has a 700-year-old tradition of the yatra that starts on the day of Holi and concludes on Gudhi Padwa, the Marathi New Year.
The resolution against Muslim traders was signed by

village sarpanch Sanjay Markad

and

village development officer Anil Lawande

.
The resolution states, "Members of the Muslim community do not follow the tradition practised by the residents of the village and, therefore, they should not be allowed to do business in the village during the Madhichi yatra period."

A senior officer of the administration told TOI that the resolution states: "The period of the yatra is a period of mourning. People here don't eat fried food and conduct weddings, and they even avoid cutting hair. The (Muslim) community members are aware of these customs, but they do not follow them. Therefore, they should not be allowed to be a part of the yatra."
"The zilla parishad is the authority governing gram panchayats and, therefore, the zilla parishad CEO is inquiring into the matter. He will submit a report, and on the basis of that report, we will take necessary action," collector Salimath told TOI.
Another senior officer of the Ahilyanagar district administration said block development officer Shivaji Kamble has been asked to inquire into the passage of the resolution. He too will submit his report.
Madhi sarpanch Markad and village development officer Lawande could not be reached for their comment.