By Adnan Alavi,
It’s unbelievable but true. There exists a mosque where the idol of Hindu god is kept once every year for a period of ten days with no communal disturbance ever in the last three decades.
Just when all eyes are focused on Ayodhya, journalist Chandan Haygunde’s report from Gotkhindi town in Maharashtra’s Sangli district gives an indication about the unique diversity of the country as also the fact that how far the common man can go in terms of being liberal and accomodating for others.
By any standards the Muslims of Gotkhindi have gone out of the way in search of coexistence and amity. The town has a population of 12,000 and just 2.5% population is Muslim.
The tradition began over three decades back when rains suddenly came and the idols of Lord Ganesha were kept in open. It was suggested to keep the idols in the mosque for the period. Even though it goes against the monatheistic beliefs, Muslims obliged and the practice continues to this day.
Haygunde must be congratulated for the brilliant report, ‘At Peace‘. The story can be interpreted in many ways but it is just one story. There are tens of thousands of stories of harmony by Hindus and Muslims [& other communities], unbelievable gestures that have not been told or properly publicised.
As a result of exaggerated reporting of the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute, an image of perpetual Hindu-Muslim conflict was formed in the minds of citizens, which hurt the integrity as also caused incalculable damage to the society.
[Photo by Hansraj Patil]
—-
Adnan Alavi blogs at http://www.anindianmuslim.com