March
12, 2006
Kashi shows us the way
Those
responsible for the terror acts were envious of India’s economic
progress. They have no respect for humanity. Varanasi is a symbol of
syncretism and peace
—Javed
Akhtar,
Muslims for Secular Democracy
Kashi
has shown India and the world that peace and co-existence is at the
very essence of every Indian’s existence, Hindu or Muslim. We salute
Mahant Veer Bhadra Mishra of the Sankat Mochan temple who refused to
let an act of terror that killed lives become the fodder for further
bloodletting.
---Teesta Setalvad,
Citizens for Justice and Peace,
Communalism Combat
For the
third day in succession, Varanasi’s streets echoed with voices and
demonstrations for peace and harmony, while sympathy was offered to
the tragic victims of the bomb blasts of March 7. A
number of social organisations have staged demonstrations condemning
the March 7 blasts and on Sunday, March 12, the local unit of the
Seva Dal organised a unique march in which lyricist Javed akhtar,
social activist, Swami Agnivesh and human rights activist, Teesta
Setalvad participated. Paying their respects at the railway union
hall to mark the deaths that took place at a result of the blasts at
the railway station, the peace activists marched from the BHU gate
to Rajendra Prasad Ghat. Among the other participants were Father
Valson Thampu and an active group of the Aligarh Muslim Union
students union.
Culminating in an oath taken with the holy Ganga jal in hand
at the famed Rajendra Prasad ghat on the banks of the holy
Ganges, the participants swore to battle the forces of terror, the
politics of hatred and violence and devote their energies in this
direction. Before this, they visited the Sankat Mochan temple and
offered their darshans. The atmosphere of Varanasi following
the bomb blasts last week has been kept calm entirely due to the
tireless efforts of the local residents who refused to be drawn into
a cycle of suspicion, panic hatred and fear.
From the silent street and mohalla committees who worked 24 hours,
to dispel any suspicion and panic, to the scores of religious
organisations, notably those from the Muslim minority who have
stepped forward, spontaneously and unequivocally, to condemn the
heinous acts and offer help and sympathy to the victims, it was the
people of this ancient and historic place of pilgrimage that
typifies India’s Ganga-Jamuna culture, who have emerged the victors
against terror.
“Kashi se ham kucch dene nahin, yahan se kuch lene aaye hai….yeh
mahanagari se to insaan moksha lene aate hai”,
said
an emotional Javed Akhtar who spoke equally vociferously against the
politics of terror, hate and fundamentalism. “Benaras has shown
India and the world that even at moments of tragedy, we can and must
draw on our centuries old lived experience of inter-community
negotiation and maintain peace,” said Teesta Setalvad while saluting
Mahant Veer Bhadra Mishra for staunchly preventing this tragedy from
being misused for political ends.
The
day after the tragic bomb blasts, when Vinay Katiar, of the BJP and
founder of the Bajrang Dal had tried to enter the temple he was told
that the place of worship is for the almightly. Politics must stay
outside. The temple is for the almighty, he had quietly stated.
Swami Agnivesh spoke vociferously against oppression and fear.
Hafiz Gandhi Vice President of the AMU students union stated that it
was the duty of Aligarh and Benaras to stand by each other in this
moment of great tragedy and that students of AMU would always do so.
Responding to the demand made by participants at a dharna in the
city’s Lahurabir Crossing a day before, Syed Shah Fazala-Rehman,
Imaam of Teele Wali mosque in Lucknow had said that “The Quran is
clear on such issues. It is against violence and does not permit
such heinous acts….I have urged the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh
to expedite the investigation and identify the attackers. The
bombers are neither Hindus nor Muslim. They are ‘shaitan’,” Rehman,
who visited the blast site at Sankat Mochan temple, told reporters
on Sunday.
“Mahantsaab ka hamara pranam hai jinhine is mauke par shanti, sabr
aur aman ka desh ko paigaam diya hai,” said Teesta Setalvad. Lashing
out at terrorists for resorting to such crimes, Akhtar said that “Jo
mujh ko zinda jala rahain hain woh bekhabar hain ki deerai deerai
meri zanjeer.” An enthusiastic band of the local Sewa Dal including
Pramod Pandey had organised the whole day’s programme.
--Sabrang
Alternative News Service [SANN]
The writer is co-editor, Communalism
Combat