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PUNE/SATARA, INDIA, November 17, 2004: In a show of unity by members of Hindu and Muslim organizations, the residents of Satara town in western Maharashtra observed a day-long peaceful bandh (general strike) on Tuesday to protest against the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi. The Muslim community in Satara turned out in large numbers on Tuesday to participate in the march from Gandhi Maidan grounds to the Satara collectorate to protest against the arrest. Leaders of Hindu organizations, including the Vishwa HIndu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS), Hindu Mahasabha, BJP and the Shiv Sena, upheld the minority community’s request to postpone the bandh, earlier scheduled for Monday, in view of the Id celebrations. Speaking on the large-scale participation of Muslims in the procession, general-secretary of the Minority Council of Western Maharashtra, Iliaz Shaikh, said, “They (Hindu leaders) helped us celebrate Id. It was our duty to support their demand to release the seer.”

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