Himanshi, a PhD scholar from Gurugram, addressed reporters with a quiet dignity that belied the enormity of her loss. “I just want the nation to pray for him. Wherever he is, I hope he is healthy and happy,” she said, her voice trembling yet resolute. In the face of communal fault-lines that such tragedies often deepen, Himanshi was unwavering in her message: “We don’t want people going against Muslims or Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace. Of course, we want justice.”

#WATCH | Karnal | “…We don’t want people going against Muslims or Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace. Of course, we want justice,” says Himanshi, wife of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. pic.twitter.com/LaOpBVe7z2

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025

Karnal, Haryana: On the birthday of the late Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, his wife Himanshi says, “I just want the entire nation to pray for him, that wherever he is, he remains healthy and happy…” pic.twitter.com/8MdugaqmOg

— IANS (@ians_india) May 1, 2025

Her words came during a moving blood donation camp held in Karnal, Haryana—Lieutenant Narwal’s hometown—on his birth anniversary. The camp was organised by the Karnal-based National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA) to honour his memory. As blood was donated to save lives, the symbolism was not lost on the gathering: while terrorists spilled the blood of innocents, citizens came together to give theirs to sustain life.

Narwal’s mother and Himanshi broke down during the tributes, surrounded by family, friends, Navy officers, and mourners. Among those present was BJP MLA Jagmohan Anand, who joined in paying respects to the young officer whose life was cut tragically short. In their speeches, many described Lieutenant Narwal as a spirited and devoted officer whose memory would endure in the hearts of those he served.

Just six days before the attack, Vinay and Himanshi had tied the knot in what was described as a union of two closely bonded families. They had planned a honeymoon in Switzerland, but visa delays led them to Pahalgam—a decision that changed everything. In a video that circulated widely after the attack, Himanshi is seen at the crime scene, distraught, describing how a man approached them, asked her husband if he was Muslim, and upon hearing “no,” shot him point blank. “I was eating bhel puri… and he just shot him,” she said through sobs.

Lieutenant Narwal’s colleagues remembered him as cheerful, courageous, and deeply committed to his duty. As per a report of Times of India, his sister Shristi, just 21, lit his funeral pyre on Wednesday in Karnal, surrounded by thousands of mourners chanting “Bharat ka veer amar rahe” and “Pakistan Murdabad.” Navy personnel fired a gun salute as the nation bid farewell to one of its bravest. The TOI report provided that speaking to Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini at the funeral, Shristi voiced her anguish: “He was alive for some time, but no one came to help him. I want them [the terrorists] dead.”

Yet even in the shadow of such pain, it was Himanshi’s refusal to give in to hate that stood out. She could have spoken the language of vengeance, the kind so often heard in the aftermath of terror. But instead, she chose to uphold the values her husband lived and died for—peace, justice, and unity. Her appeal was not just for justice in the legal sense, but for the moral integrity of a nation that must not let violence divide it further.

As per the Hindustan Times, NIFAA chairperson Pritpal Singh Pannu perhaps captured the spirit of the day best when he said, “A young officer with his whole life ahead was lost to terrorism. Soldiers shed blood to protect us, but today, we shed our blood to save lives. That is our tribute.”

No act can undo the pain. No tribute can replace the future stolen from a newlywed couple dreaming of their life together. But in choosing to stand for peace amid heartbreak, Himanshi Narwal reminded the country of what courage truly looks like.

Related:

Lalita Ramdas hails Himanshi Narwal’s stoic courage in open letter

Pahalgam: Tripura Police Face Allegations of Bias Amid Arrests for Social Media Posts

Echoes of Hate: Online anti-Muslim hate spreads against Muslim businesses and workers after Pahalgam attack

Pahalgam attack sparks nationwide turmoil, Kashmiri students face a chilling wave of hate across India

A Tranquil Paradise Shattered: The Pahalgam terror attack

The post In Grief, She Chose Peace: Himanshi Narwal appeals for communal harmony on slain Lt Vinay Narwal’s birthday appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Mohammed Raja, a local resident, shared with the New Indian Express that around 10 Hindu residents had told the Muslims about their need for a temple and had requested land in the area.

The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha was inaugurated with a feast at Ottapalayam near Padiyur, Kangayam, in Tiruppur district on May 26, 2024. The temple today stands on three cents of land generously donated by the local Muslim Jamaath. The construction of the temple was funded by Rs 10 lakh which was collected through donations from locals as well as the panchayat president.

The two communities have reportedly lived together in harmony for years, and this incident of generous donation adds to the comfort and trust between the two communities. This relation reflected further in the celebration of the temple inauguration where members of the Muslim community, including children, arrived and brought with them a traditional ‘seervarisai’ offering, consisting of fruits, flowers, and other items arranged on plates. During the inauguration ceremony, Muslim residents contributed Rs 30,000 for the ‘annadanam’ which is the community feast.

Members of both communities can be seen greeting and garlanding each other.

தமிழ்நாடு

In Tiruppur’s Ootappalayam village, Muslims have donated 3 cents of land to the Hindu community to build a Ganesha temple as the village lacked one.

Muslims and Hindus together participated in the Kudamulukku function of the newly built temple pic.twitter.com/GDFdgHnDC5

— Dharani Balasubramaniam (@dharannniii) May 26, 2024

The area, Rose Garden, is a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, but has a small share of Hindu families living there as well, as per The Hindu.

Similarly, in February 2024, the Tamil Nadu State Committee of All-India Muslim Centre had facilitated the wedding ceremonies of numerous couples in the state. The weddings took place according to the individual’s respective customs. The organiser’s parent party is the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)

According to the New Indian Express, 23 couples got married with their parents’ consent. Uut of this diverse mix of couples, six were Hindu, three were Christian and fourteen were Muslim.

The organisation gifted every couple 10 grams of gold along with items to set up their new life including furniture, groceries, and utensils worth Rs 2 lakh. The event was attended by 2000 guests with non-vegetarian and vegetarian food items.

In January 2024, similarly the state’s chief minister and DMK President MK Stalin had recently slammed the right-wing and said that January 30th should be celebrated as a day for religious harmony on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He argued that even after 75 years of independent communal harmony was yet to be achieved.

Related:

Heartrending tales of communal harmony amidst polarised times

Haryana’s farmers’ Mahapanchayat: Fostering unity across communities, vowing for communal harmony

Unchecked Hate Speech Sparks Concerns for communal Harmony in Himachal Pradesh

Communal harmony, Mumbai style 

The post Tamil Nadu sets example of communal harmony amidst a polarised country appeared first on SabrangIndia.

During times of turmoil and protests, such as the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest and the post-Babri Mosque demolition, this retired professor had continued with his pamphlet distribution with the objective of bringing a change in society through education and awareness. Since the month of April, as India geared up for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections of 2024, professor Tripathi began with a “Rise to Change” flier campaign. As a part of this campaign, professor Tripathi has been meeting people across states and discussing the shortcomings with the current government regime.

In one such video on social media, which is handled by Professor Tripathi’s daughter Rakhi Tripathi, he can be heard sharing his experience of talking with people. As per the video, while distributing his pamphlets, most of the people who are impoverished and working menial jobs shared their troubles with them and their complaints with the pro-capitalism policies being implemented by the government.

First day of the “Rise to Change” flier campaign. My father started from Shiv Vihar, where there were Riots in 2020. Great response. We need to just go and speak to people. They want to talk and express their feelings. pic.twitter.com/pc3Me3bGT8

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) April 25, 2024

The pamphlets distributed by Professor Tripathi also, most importantly, promote the idea of communal harmony. It also contains condemnations of the government’s policies or activities and possible solutions, while stating facts and eradicating myths and fake information.

My father, Prof VK Tripathi, left early morning for Alwar, Rajasthan, to distribute his fliers on
‘Freedom to speak and freedom to work.’
He returned happy that people were not aggressive and agreed with what he was saying.
Let’s speak together against injustice. pic.twitter.com/MGGVYmmmxe

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) April 17, 2024

According to him, the idea of change begins with one working on eradicating the biases that they hoard within themselves. He also targets those areas that have had a history of communal violence and riots while spreading his message of communal harmony and brotherhood.

He is unstoppable.
My father Prof VK Tripathi along with three dedicated people, went to Jaffrabad, where the 2020 riots happened. Distributed fliers.
Fantastic response to peace and harmony. @JagrukSoul pic.twitter.com/iwA7uzlc9O

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 6, 2024

Eid Mubarak – Prof VK Tripathi
Eid and Navratri at the same time. Let’s use this auspicious time to introspect and remove prejudice within. pic.twitter.com/I2hMKk8ZuZ

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) April 11, 2024

As per one of his interviews, retired Tripathi had started the activity of distributing pamphlets in July 1990 after the Bhagalpur riots, which jolted him from within. During this period, he was in the United States where he formed a Forum for Secular Indians which was later named as ‘Sadbhav Mission’. His interest in politics and social work grew after he quit his job due to USA supporting Israel on their attack on Lebanon, killing around 20,000 people.

As per an article published on him by The Patriot, Prof Tripathi’s father was a freedom fighter and used to be associated with Mahatma Gandhi, from which stems his own ideological leanings. Following the Gandhian path of non-violence, independence and liberation himself, Professor Tripathi started spreading the message of liberation from religious prejudices and discriminatory tactics in any form. In addition to this, one of his methods to educate the less privileged is to organise workshops for students and teachers on subjects like mathematics.

While scrolling through his profile on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), one can find many videos of him interacting with the youth as well. In one such video, Professor Tripathi could be seen addressing a small crowd of young college going students, purported to be first time voters, to vote responsibly and against divisions. Later in the video, he can be seen standing patiently giving out pamphlets.

A retired IITD Professor, Prof VK Tripathi (papa) at Delhi University, explains to first-time voters and others not to support hatred.
Many students stopped and heard him. Papa was happy with the response and said ‘Education is still a powerful tool to fight injustice”. … pic.twitter.com/eB0v4XkHww

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 12, 2024

In another video, he can be seen interacting with people in Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.

This time, Chandni Chowk in this heat.
My father, Prof VK Tripathi, has dedicated his life to humanity.
A retired IITD professor. Age: 76. Excellent academic background and career. Araam se ghar baith kar gyan de sakte hain. But he chose to go out and spread the word of peace… pic.twitter.com/sfO6UJGO4e

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 7, 2024

Professor Tripathi also interacts with those who the state tends to ignore or forget, and listens to their issues.

“Darr ka mahaul rehta hai.”
“Kisano ki koi sunwayee nahin hai.”
Farmers of Mewat, after meeting my father, Prof VK Tripathi, shared their concerns. pic.twitter.com/eQAtfXaB9h

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 21, 2024

It is essential to note that Professor Tripathi’s effort do not just remain limited to distributing pamphlets, but also supporting the ones whose voices are not being heart. In a heart touching video, Professor Tripathi can be seen talking to Vakeel Hasan, one of the rat miners who had rescued 40 workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel in November of 2023. These twelve rat miners had been then hailed as unlikely heroes for playing a crucial role in rescuing 41 trapped labourers in Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel. The miners, employed by Rockwell Enterprises, had worked tirelessly for 26 hours using basic tools to clear the passage. They were called ‘angels from above’ by the rescued labourers. But soon enough, their efforts were forgotten as the news cycle moved on.

While state governments have felicitated the said rat miners with rewards and compensations, no one had heard their pleas of changing their standard of living by bettering their standard of living. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, one of the rat-miners named Firoz Qureshi had said “If anybody really wants to reward us for our work in the rescue operation, they should do their bit to change lives of people like us. We get a daily wage of ₹400-500. It is not enough for survival. We can’t even think about future of our families and children.”

In the video of Professor Tripathi, he can be heard interacting with Hassan and asking him regarding his children’s education, reminding people of the role that Hassan and other rat-miners had played in saving those who had been trapped in the tunnel. It is to be noted that in March of 2024, Hassan and his family of five have been rendered homeless, after his house was razed to the ground by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday, 28 February, as part of an “anti-encroachment” drive. Through the said video, Professor Tripathi requests the authorities to help Hassan and his family seek justice against the arbitrary demolition done by the state.

How many of us remember Vakeel Hasan, one of the rat miners who had rescued 40 workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel? Maybe a few.
My father Prof VK Tripathi is not only in contact with him and his family, but also tries to support them in all possible ways.
See how happy… pic.twitter.com/sY1xvxSCiW

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 9, 2024

Unlike other activists, through science, secularism and non-violence, he is willing to walk down different lanes across different states and talk to people about the ideas of secularism, humanity and love. His videos, where he shares his experiences, grant us an opportunity to see beyond what is trending on social media and understand what the common person in India actually feels and thinks. His ardent stance on his Gandhian ideologies as well as his power to smile even in the face of those who abuse him serves as a teaching moment for all of us who believe in social justice, harmony and peace.

Woh jitni nafrati speech dein…
Utni hi unse nafrat karo.

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) May 16, 2024

My father, Prof VK Tripathi, turns 76 today. Not a single day has passed in which he has not tried to eradicate hatred. He walks miles daily to make us understand harmony. Removing prejudice from our minds is the biggest gift for him.
Happy birthday Papa.
Your journey is an… pic.twitter.com/SLIe2HCDlq

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) March 11, 2024

He walks 10-12 km daily to distribute 700-1000 fliers. He meets everyone with love and affection.
My father, Prof VK Tripathi’s only mission is Harmony and Equality.
Whenever I walk with him, it breaks my heart if someone ignores him or rejects his flier. I get furious, but… pic.twitter.com/jKV9BRYyi7

— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) April 28, 2024

Social media profile of Professor Tripathi can be accessed here:

https://x.com/rakhitripathi

Related:

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to Malerkotla in Punjab, spontaneous community initiatives celebrate harmony & syncretism

As the ruling party peddles hate, the people of Assam live in harmony and hope

Haryana’s farmers’ Mahapanchayat: Fostering unity across communities, vowing for communal harmony

The post Professor VK Tripathi and his pamphlets of hope, social justice and harmony appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The famous Sri Chammundeswari Temple, which is visited by many devotees from all over India, which recently saw a visit by Congress politician Rahul Gandhi’s part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, is set next to the Parayil Mosque. It was undergoing renovations after an idol reinstallation ceremony held last February. However, the temple committee began to deliberate how to display the name of the temple when they discovered that they had encountered a logistical challenge – a lack of space to put up a board.

It was at this point that the Parayil Masjid located nearby proposed that the temple can add their name to its own board placed nearby. The mosque  offered to share a portion of its entrance board, and the temple board accepted.

Today, the arch outside the mosque showcases both the names of the Parayil Moasjid as well as the Sri Chammundeswari Temple, Melekuttimoodu, according to a report by South First.

The secretary of the Parayil Masjid Mahal committee  Rasheed Chullimanoor told South First,  “We came to know about their difficulty. We discussed it and approached them with our idea. They happily accepted it. We are also happy that we could help our brothers. In a seemingly polarised world, if this unassuming archway offers a powerful message of unity and hope, we are delighted. If it resonates with the new generation, we are indebted to God.”

The announcement came after the Mahal committee decided to include the name, following which formal requests were exchanged in the second week of March.

When asked about the significance of this development, the president of the temple committee stated that it was an ordinary gesture that the current times had turned into something extraordinary, “These are times when some vested minds attempt to destroy the social fabric as they try to divide society on religious lines. We hope that this arch will act as a beacon of hope and harmony.”

Similarly, Punjab witnessed a heartening instance of communal harmony between Muslims and Sikhs. The now viral video from Malerkotla in Punjab captured a unique moment where a Sikh gurudwara offered its prayer space for namaz as a gesture of communal harmony. In the video, prayers and readings, the Path and Namaz, can be seen conducted simultaneously within the main hall of the Baba Gursevak Singh Gurudwara as thee holy month of Ramadan continues this March.

According to a report by the Times of India, this was an organised event held at the Gurudwara Baba Gursevak Singh and saw residents of the village come together to collectively participate in the event by engaging in prayers and readings across faiths.

Furthermore, showing a deep resolve to reduce religion based animosity, the Azaan (call to prayer) was also recited within the main hall, called the Darbar Sahib, of the Gurudwara Sahib, and there onwards was followed by the offering of Namaz by the Muslim community. Later, members of the Muslim community hosted an Iftar gathering in the Langar Hall of the Gurudwara, breaking their fast together with their Sikh and Hindu brethren. The event was hosted in a village which has a majority of Sikh families but also hosts a few Muslim families, a fact which makes the gesture even more significant and heart-warming. According to TOI, Dr Naseer, of the Sikh Muslim Sanjhan, said the community is very touched by the gesture by the villagers, ‘especially the Sikh brothers’ for having organised the iftar event.

One of the organisers, Jagtar Singh Guru, said that Punjab is a land of diversity as it hosted pirs and gurus, and  now is an example of communal harmony to the world.

Times of India similarly reported that not a few miles from Malerkotla, a similar iftar event had been organised by Sri Ram Mandir Committee on March 25.

Related:

Incidents of everyday harmony from Punjab to Lakshadweep Islands

Heartrending tales of communal harmony amidst polarised times

Madras HC: Review plea against judgment hailing religious harmony dismissed

As the ruling party peddles hate, the people of Assam live in harmony and hope

The post Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to Malerkotla in Punjab, spontaneous community initiatives celebrate harmony & syncretism appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On Admiral Ramdas’ passing on March 15, 2024, we find it relevant to reproduce this article we published as cover story in the tabloid issue of our magazine; an article that touches on issues of hate and bigotry that beset us still.

THE FIRE NEXT TIME

Admiral Ramdas & Lalita Ramdas

January 30, 1996

An impassioned plea to the nation for communal sanity, respect for the rule of law and social justice, penned on Martyr’s Day, by the former chief of the naval staff and his wife, ADMIRAL RAMDAS and LALITA RAMDAS

AS THE nation pays its ritualistic homage to the Mahatma today, Martyr’s Day our minds go back to the basic is-sue for which Gandhiji laid down his life — building harmony and goodwill, especially between Hindus and Muslims, the two major communities in this land. The phenomena of political violence that began through that action of a fanatic has continued to haunt us over all these years as religion is used more and more cynically as a political tool to incite communal passions.

Eleven years ago, in November 1984, many of us were jolted out of our comfortable existence when the assassination of yet another Gandhi —Indira —, let loose the most atrocious spate of vengeance and killing of thousands of innocent God fearing Sikhs in the Capital.

We were living between Delhi and Vizag in those days — the Admiral commanding the Eastern Fleet, the wife continuing to work with an NGO in Delhi’s resettlement areas.

On the afternoon of October 31, 1984, we had just ended a staff meeting at Ankur, a small urban NGO, when the first news came about Mrs. Gandhi’s assassination and tension in the city. We had Sikh women among a wide range of other Ankur teachers — some had long distances to travel to get home. I spent hours on the telephone, gathering reports of growing incidents, fires, ugly mob behaviour, from across the city.

Several hours and phone calls later, a few of us made our way to one of the worst affected areas, curfew notwithstanding. It was in this way that I came to be among the many who came to help —shocked out of our wits at the carnage, the senseless killing of husbands, sons, fathers and brothers. We worked under the banner of Nagrik Ekta Manch.

I was assigned to take charge of the Relief Camp at Nanaksar, my daughters and other friends were working at Farsh Bazaar — the two key holding camps where the victims from East Delhi were brought. For nearly two weeks we worked round the clock, recording affidavits and eyewitness accounts from hundreds and hundreds of widows, their daughters and young sons who survived and had fled for their lives.

Night after night, my home at 32, Lodi Estate became like an Operations Control Room, as the two teams met and systematically filled up hundreds of cards with information —name, house number, gali, who came, who did you see, how did your husband die… And there was a clear pattern emerging — of systematic, planned and merciless slaughter, as also of names that came up over and over again — H.K.L Bhagat being one of the leading figures among many other luminaries.

The news of Bhagat’s arrest was followed shortly by the shocking announcement of the winding up of the Srikrishna Commission of Inquiry by the present regime in Maharashtra…We would like to add our voices to all those others and register our serious disapproval and dismay at this undemocratic action

Painful lessons were also learned along the way about the attitudes and increasing communalisation — especially among the well-to-do, the elite. I can still count the many doors slammed in our faces in the posh areas of New Delhi as we went around seeking clothes, food, medicines…

Months later, I was called to testify before the Ranganath Misra Commission. I had worked painstakingly to put together a huge file of sworn testimonies, affidavits, as also a personal report to add to all the others that had been presented to the Commission. But it was a depressing and disheartening experience, to say the least. From 1984 till my husband’s posting out of Delhi in end 1987, I worked in Tilak Vihar, where most of the widows were “rehabilitated”, along with several others.

It appeared that all our efforts to secure justice and to punish the perpetrators were coming to naught. I left Delhi unhappy, disturbed about the situation — imagine the impact on the young children who were growing up in an atmosphere which was certainly not designed to deal with the trauma and the bitterness in-side — and completely disillusioned about our political, bureaucratic and judicial system.

For the wife of a service man to be involved in this kind of work is itself unusual. For her to tread on ground which would clearly be seen as “political” was nothing short of a “hot potato”! For us as a family it was a hard time and called for many tough decisions. Most of those whom we consulted advised us that Mrs. Ramdas should not testify — there was no telling the effect it could have on her husband’s naval career!

The family discussed the issue. This was too serious, a matter of conscience and principle, and we agreed that she should testify and place on record all the devastating evidence gleaned through months of heart-breaking work.

By some in-explicable set of events, and despite all these “unconventional” activities of different family members, the V.P. Singh government saw fit to select Admiral Ramdas to head the Indian Navy as the Chief of Naval Staff. We re-turned to Delhi in 1990.

The years 1984 and 1992 taught us in no uncertain terms that the virus of communal thinking had al-ready taken root among far too many of our own friends and colleagues. There was no question but to combat this in every way and at every opportunity. The phenomena of several retired servicemen joining hands with avowedly rightwing, communal political parties had already begun — a warning signal to all those who believed in India’s secular vision and Constitution.

This period saw more violence, to yet another Gandhi —this time it was Rajiv. It was also during this tenure as Naval Chief that the second lot of major communal horrors occurred. It was the destruction of Babri Masjid this time, with all that went on before and, most horrendously, what hap-pined after.

“This is perhaps not the time or place to speak of the attempts made by me as Service Chief, to push the political system and government to take some action before it was too late. It was clear that the situation was building towards a show-down of some kind. However, it is only too easy for bureaucrats and politicians to ignore advice which is unpalatable, the bogey of Civil vs Military control continues to be a block to any real teamwork or dialogue even at the highest levels.”

And so it was with an inevitability that could almost be predicted, that the mosque came down, more communal frenzy was unleashed, and once again, as in 1984, poor and dispossessed communities of one sect were deliberately incited to perpetrate unspeakable acts of barbarism against the poorest Muslims of Bombay, Surat and elsewhere. Inevitably these led to more destruction, retaliation and deaths.

Once again citizens and NGOs swung into action. Com-missions of Inquiry were established and the due processes of law were begun. Painstakingly, evidence was recorded. Though media moved on to more exciting issues, the Srikrishna Commission seemed to be the one area of continuing hope, where com-mitted and dedicated lawyers and others systematically piled up evidence which might bring the guilty to book.

Time moved on, and so did we. Having done what we could to spread a more secular and progressive culture within the Service, we retired and moved out of Delhi in late 1993. The years 1984 and 1992 taught us in no uncertain terms that the virus of communal thinking had already taken root among far too many of our own friends and colleagues. There was no question but to combat this in every way and at every opportunity.

The phenomena of several retired servicemen joining hands with avowedly right-wing, communal political parties had already begun – a warning signal to all those who believed in India’s secular vision and Constitution.

Today, we are ordinary citizens again, and have been living in this little village in the Konkan, building a roof over our heads and learning about the realities of rural life.

The economics of survival, the struggle for water, fuel, employment, a clean administration (!), dependence on the family as the main social security; propitiating the rain gods, and preserving faith in someone up there – be it Allah or Ram, these continue to be the defining parameters of people where we live, even today.

Science and technology, while having invaded the area all around here — RCF, IPCL, Nippon Denro and many more — has not materially impacted the daily existence of the bulk of the people for the better. The wells in our village, Bhaimala, are already dry, the fish in the rivers and coastal waters are no longer there thanks to the poisonous effluents discharged by every single industry. (And we are speaking of a relatively progressive state like Maharashtra, albeit the back-ward Konkan region).

“This is perhaps not the time or place to speak of the attempts made by me as Service Chief, to push the political system and government to take some action before it was too late. It was clear that the situation was building towards a show-down of some kind:’

Whilst realising that religion, culture and daily living are inextricably inter-woven for the mass of our people, we have also seen that the average villager is basically a simple, god-fearing and fundamentally SECULAR human being. It is only the machinations and sinister agendas and preaching by party organisers which gradually transform good people into developing a warped communal prejudice and bias.

Once again, as we have done throughout our nomadic existence, we began to get to know our new environment and to project through what-ever forums we could, the message of secularism, of integration, in the only way that we have known best – one of personal precept and example.

Gradually people are get-ting to understand that this “odd couple” are actually Tamil (Brahmin) and Telugu (non-Brahmin) by birth; domiciled in Matunga, Maharashtra, where the Admiral’s family moved many decades ago. They have met, interacted with, and accepted our daughters, and our three sons-in-law — a Bihari-Muslim-US/Pakistani; an Andhra rural activist; and a Bihari-Madhya Pradeshi combination.

We have spoken from the platforms of the Shiv Sena, Congress and Shetkari Sangathana, stressing always that the strength of India lies in this very plurality which has also been the bedrock of life in the Navy and in the other Services.

After a long absence — we have been travelling extensively across south east Asia, (including China, for the Beijing Conference), the USA, South Africa we returned a few weeks ago to welcome 1996. Some things don’t change. It was a strong feeling of deja vu to see the usual agonising over the ‘state of the Nation’ in both the print and the electronic media.

With all the depressing disclosures in the Hawala case, the amusement at the re-emergence of a suddenly white-washed Enron, and the usual mud-slinging that heralds an election build-up, the one re-deeming news .item was the announcement of H.K.L Bhagat’s arrest, “illness” and hospitalisation. Yes, we thought, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind surely.

The faces of the widows stood out so clearly in the mind’s eye – their grief, turning to anger, pain and total cynicism in the system of governance and justice. What must be the thoughts in their minds as they are called upon to testify against this man because of whom and many others their lives and futures had been ruined forever?

Most persons advised us that Mrs. Ramdas should not testify — there was no telling the effect it could have on her husband’s naval career! .. but.. This was too serious, a matter of conscience and principle, and we agreed that she should testify and place on record all the devastating, evidence..

But our joy and relief was short-lived. The news of Bhagat’s arrest was followed shortly by the shocking announcement of the winding up of the Srikrishna Commission of Inquiry by the present regime in Maharashtra. There has been widespread condemnation of this from several quarters. We would like to add our voices to all those others and register our serious disapproval and dismay at this undemocratic action -unacceptable in a country and state which claims to respect the rule of law and the constitution.

Inevitably, the voices that are raised seem to be largely the same voices – from the few urban activists, who are seen to be the protestors on all issues! While it is easy to raise a voice of protest and find space in the English language newspapers, it is not so easy to build up a really effective movement against such practices. (We have seen that vitiating the democratic process is not the prerogative of any one political party).

For an effective movement to evolve, there is no substitute for a much more painstaking, long term process whereby the ‘people in my gaon and yours, every basti and colony, can really be concerned and raise their voices. As of now, to the Archana Bais and Bharatis, the Gawdas, the Mhatres and the Patils on our farm and in our gaon, as much as to the women in our Bhaimala village, Mahila Mandal, Ranganath Misra and H.K.L Bhagat, Srikrishna and NHRC (National Human Rights Commissions) are not even familiar names, for-get about their being issues around which to rally support and protest. Until that hap-pens, human rights and due process of law will continue to be stamped upon and violated at will.

More than ever there is a need for a very different process of education – education for citizenship and democracy – which can truly build towards a sustainable grass-roots democracy, and which is the only sure and effective measure that can guard against the march of fascist and dictatorial tendencies which are raising their heads on all sides.

For all the education com-missions and new and alternate education policies, the Literacy Mission and foundations, no political party is actually interested in creating a genuine critical and thinking mass of people in this country. Therefore, we continue to churn out human products who are trapped somewhere between ritual and orthodoxy, and superficial modernity of the worst kind — the variety vacuously dished out by the hundreds of TV Channels.

Many of us are frustrated, searching desperately for alternatives, be they alternate political formations or platforms of some kind. Invariably these efforts seem to surface just before the next election – when it is perhaps already too late. There is need for many more of us at all levels and ages to talk to each other about these issues — not only in the context of an election but on an ongoing basis.

As persons with a defence background and with more and more unthinking comment about military takeover being the only ‘salvation’ doing the rounds, we need to be clear that this is the most dangerous of philosophies to propagate. Yet it is one which finds far too many takers, especially among the educated middle classes.

We urgently need to develop a totally new paradigm and a national level under-standing of the much (mis)used term “National Security” whereby the people in whose name wars are fought, can also understand the issues and have a say. Decisions on serious issues such as the Nuclear Question, Kashmir, Water and much else are being dictated by the minimum of discussion and debate let alone evolving any national position or consensus.

Painful lessons were also learned along the way about the attitudes and in-creasing communalisation — especially among the well-to-do, the elite. I can still count the many doors slammed in our faces in the posh areas of New Delhi as we went around seeking clothes, food, medicines…

Why can’t all parties agree to come together to seriously address these concerns and develop a long term perspective as a large, mature nation can and should. But this too demands the involvement of several sectors from across the board. There are too many issues jostling for priority and we have increasingly lost sight of the basics.

Two years in rural India has taught us many lessons and shown us only too clearly the limits of the gospel of liberalisation. If any-thing, it has brought even greater hardships and precious little advance for those who live cheek by jowl with the biggest industrialists. But an alternative model has not yet emerged. For all the talk about such a model, these have not yet left the drawing boards.

With polls around the corner, perhaps the first step is to work with the electorate and persuade people to turn in what Krishan Kant and others have termed a negative vote, that is, blank papers. Perhaps that could be a first step to-wards collective responsible behaviour towards the people.

Maybe it is the only way to upturn and boot out many of the “bandicoots”, to use a term coined by my colleague, the then Army Chief, for which he had his knuckles severely rapped! It certainly appears that the judiciary is taking steps to do so – increasingly, the Supreme Court appears to be the only source of decision-making and action!

It is also time that many more of us actually got involved with the community – especially the vast neglected numbers who live in the villages across this land in an effort to truly play a watch-dog and monitoring role, so that communities have the confidence and capability to ensure that the monies spent actually go for the development for which it is intended. It is not always necessary to stand for election in order to do something effective on the ground.

Certainly there is a long, long road ahead — and many miles to go before any of us really deserve to sleep. But there are also challenges and opportunities aplenty for the adventurous, there is enough mental and physical stimulus to keep both mind and body healthy and happy.

Listening to all of this, the Mahatma whose martyrdom we observe today would have certainly said with a chuckle: “But I told you so — there is no easy road to Freedom.”

(Admiral L Ramdas (Retd)
PVSM AVSM VrC VSM
Former chief of the Naval
Staff

&

Ms. Lalita Ramdas
Ramu Farm —’Lara’
Alibag — 402201
Raigad Dist
Maharashtra

In July 1995, we had to suspend publication of Communalism Combat, not because the battle for secularism and democracy had already been won but because we ran into financial difficulties.We are extremely grateful to Ms. Shabana Azmi, Mr. Farooque Shaikh, Mr. Javed Siddiqui and Mr. Feroz Khan for giving us a free show of their very popular play, Tumhari Amrita. Thanks to them and our sponsors for the show, we are back on the road. We are equally grateful to many prominent citizens of Bombay and other well-wishers who have helped us raise additional funds through patron subscriptions (Please see the last page).Nor can we forget our advertisers who have reaffirmed their support in helping us spread a simple message: Hate hurts, harmony works.This issue of Combat will convince you, we hope, that the struggle for tolerance is far from over. To live up to that challenge, we continue to depend on your support.—Editors

The post The Fire next time: an impassioned plea to the nation for communal sanity appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Shahi Imam stated, as per the report, “There is a gurdwara for Ravidas community already in the village and a new prayer hall is to be added. The gurdwara management committee thus invited me, preachers from Ravidas community, Nihang Singhs and even district health officer of Hoshiarpur for this foundation laying ceremony. So all of us laid the foundation stone one by one thus spreading the message of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood.”

West Bengal

After a Hindu man, Shyamapada Mondal, died, the Muslim residents of the village located in the Kothirampur area of West Bengal’s Mushidabad, came together to cremate the body of an elderly man. The man had passed away from a heart attack one morning. After his demise, his Muslim neighbours pitched in to help the family with the cremation process, according to The Observer Post.

Faced with the challenge of arranging a proper cremation amidst financial constraints and without relatives in the vicinity, the Muslim’s residents’ support to Mondal’s family was reportedly a source of comfort. To take charge of the funeral arrangements, rallying together to collect donations for the purpose. They organised the cremation ceremony, gathered funds and ensured the process was conducted with dignity and respect. Some of the names of those who made this happen were Aram Khan, Anirul Sheikh, Sakir Ali, and Kalam Sheikh, among several others. They tirelessly gathered contributions, and even made a makeshift funeral plank from bamboo to carry the Mondal’s body to the cremation ground.

Rebati Mondal, Mondal’s daughter, even expressed her thanks for the selfless support received from the Muslim community during their time of need. According to the report, she said, “I was worried about the cost of cremation. In this situation, the Muslims of the village came forward, taking care of all the responsibilities. Aram, Sakir, and Anirul went from house to house in the area, collecting donations. The Muslims in the village always support us and stand beside us. They come forward in times of danger. Without them, my father’s funeral would not have been complete today.”

Moreover, the Muslim community has also taken up the responsibilities to organise the upcoming Shradh ceremony for the family.

Lakshadweep

A heart-warming display of communal unity was made at the Hindu temple in Kavaratti, which is the capital of Lakshadweep. The temple serves as the only Hindu place of worship in the island. This year the temple was adorned with a beautifully crafted idol of Lord Vinayaka sculpted by a Muslim ex-serviceman, PR Cheriya Koya, according to a report in the Deccan Herald.

The temple priest expressed his gratitude for Koya’s contribution and said that the statue of Ganesh was very special.

Koya is a former art teacher and military veteran. He received a certificate in response to his donating the statue to the temple at Kavaratti by local authorities. However, as per the report, this isn’t the first instance of Koya making art to promote interfaith communal harmony. Previously too he crafted a statue of Lord Hanuman for a temple in his hometown of Androth.

Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu

Similarly, Tamil Nadu too witnessed a heartening display of communal harmony during the inauguration of Masjid e Elahi-Masjid in the Sivagangai district of the state. The inauguration saw a gathering of people from all religious communities in the area. The event was a vibrant colourful event which saw widespread participation and offered refreshments like cold brinks and biryani. There were welcoming banners adorning the main streets and bus stand, that invited people of all faiths to come join on the auspicious occasion, as per a report by the BBC Hindi.

In #TamilNadu‘s #Sivaganga, when a new mosque was inaugurated, people from all communities were invited to open the mosque. All of them visited the mosque. pic.twitter.com/Uclp9DCGGU

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) January 28, 2024

Related:

Heartrending tales of communal harmony amidst polarised times

Haryana’s farmers’ Mahapanchayat: Fostering unity across communities, vowing for communal harmony

Communal harmony, Mumbai style

Varanasi peace activists begin campaign to maintain communal harmony

The post Incidents of everyday harmony from Punjab to Lakshadweep Islands appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In a heartening display of unity and compassion, the city of Mumbai witnessed an extraordinary bond between two families from different faiths, transcending religious boundaries for a life-saving cause. A year ago, Rafiq Shah from Kalyan met Dr. Rahul Yadav, an Ayurveda practitioner from Ghatkopar, in the dialysis clinic of KEM Hospital in Parel. However little did they know that this encounter would lead to a remarkable exchange of kidneys, bridging the gap of blood group mismatches and exemplifying the spirit of communal harmony? On December 15 last year, the corridors of KEM Hospital saw Girija, the mother of Dr. Rahul Yadav, selflessly donating her kidney to Rafiq Shah, while Shah’s wife, Khushnuma, reciprocated by donating her kidney to Yadav. These interfaith kidney swap transplants, though rare, have graced the medical world on a handful of occasions, as acknowledged by Dr. Tukaram Jamale, the head of KEM’s nephrology department.

Swap transplants have often been the beacon of hope in such situations. The nephrology department at KEM Hospital reportedly played a pivotal role in identifying the compatibility between Shah and Yadav. Khushnuma, at 38 years old, had harboured the wish to be a donor ever since her husband Rafik Shah, employed with a civil contractor in Kalyan, was diagnosed with kidney failure two years ago. However, the road to donation was hindered by their blood group mismatch – she is A+, while he has B+ blood group.

Tamil Nadu

Amidst the aftermath of severe floods wreaking havoc in south Tamil Nadu, a moving tale of compassion and religious harmony has emerged at the Seydunganallur Baithulmal Jamath mosque. According to The NewsMinute, who discovered the story, there is a mosque positioned on the route from Tirunelveli to Thoothukudi, this mosque has opened its doors to provide shelter to around 30 Hindu families grappling with the devastating impact of the floods. Over the past four days, these displaced families have found safety and shelter within the mosque’s walls. Furthermore, even after this offering refuge, the mosque committee h took further steps to make the stay for the families comfortable and safe by ensuring the provision of essential needs such as food, clothing, medicines, and sanitary napkins for their distressed guests.

Kopal, Karnataka

Viral on social media in Karnataka are heart-warming images and videos capturing a Muslim family’s generous act of hosting an ‘anna santarpana’ for Sabarimala pilgrims, Main Media reported.. Khashim Ali Muddaballi who is the district president of the Pinjara community, had opened his home in Jayanagar, Koppal city, in north Karnataka for this special program.

The pilgrims, who are mostly Hindus, not only received hospitality in the form of food but also engaged in devotional activities. They engaged in devotional activities such as singing bhajans and performed worship rituals at Khashim’s residence. Among the attendees were also numerous ‘maldharis’ (devotees) who undertake vows to visit Sabarimala.

Talking about what made him do it, Khashim talked about the unity of all people from all religions.

These heart-warming displays of communal harmony stand out in a society often marred by divisions that are highly politicised. It serves as a powerful testament to the shared values that bind people together that survive despite political polarisation.

Related:

Today, I Can Breathe Again: Bilkis Bano on landmark Supreme Court judgement

Vigilante violence against Muslims continues without rest

Amidst festive cheer, India’s Christian community confronts prejudice and intolerance

India’s Catholic clergy urges acts of conscience not political opportunism: Church leaders meet with PM Modi

The post Heartrending tales of communal harmony amidst polarised times appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In a powerful display of solidarity, nearly 2,000 farmers from diverse backgrounds convened at a Mahapanchayat organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union in Baas village, Hisar, according to a report by Scroll.in. The gathering was attended by members of the Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities and carried a clear message: division along caste and religious lines has no place in Haryana.

Prominent farmer leader Suresh Koth spoke at the event of the importance of unity and peace, declaring, “Here are Muslims, I dare you to touch them.” He urged all khaps, the traditional social councils, to take responsibility for safeguarding the minority residents and fostering harmony, reported Scroll.in.

Koth’s stance echoed throughout the event, resonating with his sentiment that Haryana’s soil must remain untainted by divisions. He criticised certain panchayat leaders from Mahendergarh, Rewari, and Jhajjar districts for reportedly drafting letters that restricted the entry of Muslim traders into villages. Such actions, he stated, have no place in the spirit of coexistence and tolerance.

One of the assembly’s main objectives was a commitment by the farmers to shun any form of caste-based or communal violence. The gathering united in demanding accountability for those responsible for uploading incendiary videos on social media platforms, which provoked tensions.

In a video on Twitter, Koth reaffirmed the message of unity, “Yeh Desh Sabka tha, Yeh Desh Sabka hai, yeh Desh Sabka rahega” (This country belonged to everyone, belongs to everyone, and will continue to belong to everyone). The call resonated widely in the wake of harrowing violence in Haryana, spreading through a video that emerged on Twitter on August 9th.

किसान नेता सुरेश कौथ की RSS और बजरंग दल को चेतावनी, कहा “हम मेवातियों के साथ हैं हिम्मत है तो आओ”#NuhViolence #uchana #jind #sureshkouth pic.twitter.com/p4pJJUi7Gs

— Gaon Savera (@GaonSavera) August 9, 2023

The Mahapanchayat’s resolute stand serves as a powerful reminder that unity transcends boundaries and that the people of Haryana stand united against division.

Related:

Azizia Madrasa: Burning of just a Madrasa or Cultural Genocide?

Haryana: Resolutions banning entry of Muslims traders withdrawn after authorities send show-cause notice

Nuh Haryana: Who cast the first stone?

Communal violence erupts in Nuh, Mewat, five killed, provocations by VHP-Bajrang Dal continue

The post Haryana’s farmers’ Mahapanchayat: Fostering unity across communities, vowing for communal harmony appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Without acknowledging the seriousness of the current situation some people within the Muslim community are in fact almost handing over to these forces the means to attack.

Why are photographs of Aurangzeb being displayed today? Who is our king – someone like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who gave space and dignity to our ancestors or kings like Aurangzeb who did not give any space to the people of this land? Why then are people displaying his photo?

During Aurangzeb’s rule most of the generals and officers were Rajputs and Brahmins. Not only that, most of his advisors were also from amongst them.

The only Muslims that he (Aurangzeb) had were those Pathans and others who came with him. He never gave any space to the Muslims from this land.

Then why are we proudly using his images?

In Kolhapur where a ruler like Shahu Maharaj gave the Dalit and Muslim population not only equal space but also respect and dignity, it is unfortunate that such events happened in that same region.

We have to realise that those who mislead and instigate poor Muslims in the name of religion are their true enemies.

Most Hindus, not only in Maharashra, but in the whole country, are even today working hard to maintain Hindu-Muslim unity.

If a few Hindus from the allegedly privileged castes and classes are working to create an environment of hate in their bid to retain power, then this is not the way to counter them. We have to follow the path that Mahatma Gandhi showed us. Violence can never be fought with violence, violence has to be countered by love. Humility in the face of aggression is the only solution.

When some people from the Muslim community make problematic statements, foster enmity and hate, take a position against the entire Hindu community and faith, it puts at risk those among the Hindu communities and people that are standing alongside the Muslim community.

These actions of ours do not speak against the communal Hindu forces, they in fact put at risk the actions and work of those from the Hindu community that are working to fight the communalisation of our society. We have to realise this.

Keep faith in the Constitution

Today in Maharashtra there is an attempt at creating situations of disharmony in various places like Mumbai, Aurangabad, Akola, Buldhana, Tryambakeshwar, Shevgaon. In some places it seems like the actions of groups that are dividing society and are anti-national are almost backed by the police. The police allow morchas to happen and allow violence to happen even when they are present by not taking any action against those indulging in the violence. They do not take action against those that give hate speeches and calls to divisiveness and violence.

The Muslim community today needs to take note of the nature of those in power in the Centre and the state. The country split into two in 1947 even as we got Independence. Even though Pakistan was created, India did not become a Hindu nation, it became a secular nation. It became a republic maintaining its vast diversity of religion, caste, region, language, culture. The Constitution authored by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar created an inclusive nation that promised justice to all its citizens.

The RSS that got formed in 1925, however, only always wanted this nation to be a Hindu nation. Golwalkar Guruji of the RSS had critiqued the Indian Constitution by calling it a “quilt just made up (stitched together) by borrowing laws from different nations. Realising the incomplete dream of the RSS of making ours into a Hindu nation then, this is the agenda that is now being pursued actively since 2014. A large part of the systems of governance are today controlled by this brand of Hindutva politics.

The damage caused by the Shahbano incident

It seems that many people from among the Muslim community are simply not understanding the gravity of this hold of Hindutva on the systems and structures of governance. The earlier irresponsible acts of some Muslim leaders of playing a communal politics cannot be indulged in. By politically organising to oppose the Shahbano judgement (1986 and thereabouts) we have harmed the future of our community. We do not seem to realise the seriousness of these acts and their implications.

Today’s situation is not of discord between Hindus and Muslims. Simple.

It is of State power against the Muslim community and we must understand the difference. Those who have power today from Delhi to Maharashtra have a singular agenda. They want to consolidate power through creating divisiveness in the nation, among people. What was once done successfully by the British, the same tactics are today being used by the current dispensation in power. In such a situation the Muslim community must calmly find a path of least resistance. Today the Muslim community has fallen behind the Dalits and Adivasis in education. We must pay attention to this. We must ensure that not a single child around us is kept away from getting education.

We cannot travel backwards!

We never pay attention to what are the real issues of the Muslim community. Those constantly instigating Muslims in the name of religion are not our saviours, they are in fact our enemy. Mohammad Paigambar has not only said that we must forgive our enemy, but has also asked the followers to respect other religions. We must watch out and take care that our actions are not such that we are creating enmity with those who are our friends.

Taufik from Kolhapur, Hasib Nadaf from Sholapur, Muzzamil from Buldhana, Badruzzama, Jabbar Bhai, Sayed Shehzad from Akola, Shaukat Tamboli, Samir Kazi, Nasir Shaikh from Ahmednagar, these are the youth who should be our heroes. The community should stand with these youth from the Muslim community and follow the path of modernism.

Travelling backwards using the name of religion is not going to help the Muslim Community. If the present environment prevails, then even those who today stand with the Muslim community will be scared to do so.

I respectfully call upon the Maulvis from the Muslim community to make efforts to maintain harmony, a harmony with which Muslims have both lived, and contributed to this land.

(The article was translated by academic, acitivist and scientist Chayanika Shah from the original. The original was published in Loksatta that may be read here.)

The post Don’t invite enmity with friends: Ex MP Hussain Dalwai to M’tra’s Muslim youth! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

While it is unclear whether there were any proofs or evidence on which the extremist outfits levied such bizarre allegations, or any investigation was undertaken by the police, what followed after the above-mentioned incident was expected and typical, in view of recent emergent patterns. 

With police unwilling to act, the said incident was followed by the fringe groups going around terrorizing the Muslims living in Kamaluaganja. A video has surfaced where a mob of young men can be seen gathered in front of a shop whose shutter was closed. They can be seen vandalizing a shop for auto parts, hitting at the board of the shop with bats and sticks. The mob can be seen laughing while breaking the signboard, and some equipment kept outside the shop.

The video then shows the mob asking from a shopkeeper, presumably a Muslim, to show them his Aadhar card. And then, the mob asks the man to close his shop and go home. After that, the video shows the mob vandalizing this shop too, with its boards being thrown on the road. It seemed as if this mob, equipped with bats and sticks, was going around the area, singling out the shops run by Muslims, and then vandalizing them.

The video can be viewed here:

Location: Kamaluaganja, Haldwani, Uttarakhand

Members of far-right groups vandalized Muslim owned shops in the town after they alleged a Muslim youth of sexually assaulting a cow. He was beaten, tonsured, and handed over to police. pic.twitter.com/UlWdcsobrW

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 15, 2023

In the midst of all this chaos, another video also surfaced on the social media, wherein a man can be seen defending a group of people from a mob. Reportedly, when a group of far-right goons was forcibly closing Muslim shops on Kamaluaganj road, a Hindu landlord came out stood in between the mob and the victims. He stood up for Muslims. The Hindu man can be heard arguing with the mob who is standing in front of him, saying that “what relations will go sour? If the law tells me that the shops need to be closed, I will do it.”

A person from the mob then said that “for these people you will take up a fight against all of us? We have come here because this incident has happened in our town, not somewhere else.”

The Hindu man then says “There is a Muslim man working in our police station. Why don’t you go there and eat his job then? Only then I will believe what you are saying. It is only in private that you can do all that your mind wishes for. There is nothing about love here. This is my shop and I take the guarantee for these people. Only after you have a proof against any of these people will I believe you. I will take guarantee for them till they work with me.”

The representative from the mob kept arguing with the Hindu man even as he was saying this. After the landlord said that he is taking guarantee, the mob says “even if you take their guarantee, we will not let them come here. We will not let them come here or work here from tomorrow.”

Even after this, the landlord does not bow down, and keeps on arguing with the mob. Then he asks the mob to leave and do whatever they are doing.

The video can be viewed here:

When a group of far-right goons tried to forcibly close Muslim shops on Kamaluaganj road, a Hindu landlord came in between and stood up for Muslims. pic.twitter.com/SMAoxsF8eB

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) June 15, 2023

The Hindu landlord protecting its Muslim workers from a violent mob, even after hearing the stories of a Muslim man indulging in some alleged crime, standing by his decision to protect them, shows the true picture of ‘Insaniyat’ in India. 

The landlord stood strong on his ground, vouching for his workers, not agreeing to let the mob hurt those innocent individuals for the alleged crimes of another, just because they all belong to the same community. The said act, keeping in view of the ongoing exodus of Muslims in Uttarakhand and the overall anti-Muslim environment, can be termed as no less than heroic.

Related:

Stop Uttarakhand Mahapanchayat, could lead to targeted communal violence: Petitions urge CJI

Against overwhelming odds, women entrepreneurs in Kashmir Valley offer hope

Everyday Harmony: Banners Asserting Fraternity & Sisterhood Plaster Navi Mumbai Streets

Everyday Harmony: Muslim Man Risks Life To Save A Hindu Girl From Drowning In Madhya Pradesh

The post ‘Insaniyat’: brave Hindu landlord defends Muslim shop owners and workers, show of harmony in the midst of division appeared first on SabrangIndia.