By Rupa Abdi
While the post Godhra communal violence of 2002 spilled blood and spread hatred in Gujarat, there were some remarkable instances of human compassion and love which rose above the differences of faith.
A recent report in the Ahmedabad edition of Times of India reported the incident of a fourteen year old Hindu girl – Rinku Shah and her mother, who were given refuge in a Muslim ghetto – Juhapura, in Ahmedabad during the riots. Rinku’s father was killed during the riots and the mother and daughter duo rendered homeless. They later found shelter at a trust – Gujarat Masturat Sewa Trust, located in Juhapura, which runs a Home for Widows and Children. The Trust even arranged Pushpa’s second marriage.
Now, after five years, the Trust has successfully organized Rinku’s marriage as well. Rinku’s husband, Vishal Singh works at a district’s session court in Bhavnagar. We therefore have a Hindu wedding in a Muslim locality, organized by a Muslim NGO. Rinku’s family is now a part and parcel of the Muslim family of Juhapura and her groom, Vishal Singh, commented that he was looking forward to enjoying the hospitality of his bride’s extended Muslim family.
The Masturat Sewa Trust has so far organized over 10 marriages for destitute irrespective of their religion. Unfortunately in spite of rendering such remarkable service to the society the Trust has not been receiving much help from either the government of India nor the Ministry of Women and Child Development.