Bareilly witnessed an unique show of communal harmony on Sunday when muslims welcomed a group of 34 kanwariyas with fruits and refreshments, reported TNN. This was all the more beautifully strange because two years ago conflict of these two communities at this point of time the year made headlines as some miscreants had opposed the passage of devotees through this route. Since then, police deployment in these areas during the month of Shravan had been a common sight.
The devotees were on their way to Kachhla ghat in neighbouring Badaun district to collect Ganga water.
Residents of Milakh Kheda in CB Ganj, under the banner of Kanya Suraksha Vikas Samiti, distributed fruits and other refreshments. Not only this, they also showered flower petals on the procession as a mark of respect, according to TNN. CB Ganj is remarkably one of the sensitive areas which saw communal tensions flaring on several occasions.
Speaking to TOI, manager of Kanya Suraksha Vikas Samiti, Raju Shamim, said, “The route via Raza colony and Milak Mehmoodpur village is a shortcut to Delhi road and reduces the distance to Kachhla ghat in Badaun. This route passes through areas such as Milabh, Mehmoodpur, Nawadia and Raza colony. Two years ago, a few miscreants opposed the passage of kanwariyas through this route, claiming it would start a new tradition. We have been trying ever since to bridge the gap between the two communities.”
Terming the event as an answer to notorious elements who tried to spark off communal strife, Shamim added, “It a message to all those who tried to destroy peace and divide our society. We have come together to create space for each community living here. Celebrating each other’s festival with full fervour is an attempt towards this.”
From Badaun, the kanwariyas will return to the city to offer Ganga water in some of the temples of Lord Shiva. Bareilly is also known as ‘Nath Nagri’ since Dhopeshwarnath, Tapeshvarnath, Madhinath, Alakhnath, Vankhandinath and Trivatinath temples of Lord Shiva are located in various corners of the city.
Sourced from TNN, Featured imge courtesy: indiatotal.wordpress.com
