AHMEDABAD, JUNE 28: While the date for rath yatra nears amidst rumours that there may be trouble, Muslims, who have been participating in the function along with Hindus all these years, are still optimistic.

In fact, they say this year will be no different and they will celebrate as they have been doing for the past so many years.

For instance, take Usmangani Devdiwala, the Independent MLA who has been donating silver raths at Jagannath Temple for the past 25 years. This year during the riots, mobs set his printing factory at Narol afire. He will make his donation this year as well.

Devdiwala says: ‘‘I do not hold any grudge against Hindus. It was a mob that set my factory afire. The rest of the community cannot be blamed. I don’t believe in discriminating against people on grounds of religion.’’

He is also one of the trustees of the Jagannath Temple. ‘‘This year too, like every year, I attended the meetings of trustees. We discussed the various aspects of the yatra. I am positive it will take place without any problems,’’ he says.

‘‘The day before the yatra, we take out a procession of around 2,000 people of both the communities. The rally goes to the temple where a silver chariot is donated to the maharaj. This year too, we intend to take out the procession to the temple. Jo parampara saalon se chali aa rahi hai, usey hum nahin badlenge (We won’t deviate from our tradition),’’ he adds.