Saturday, February 27, 2010

Hoardings in Harmony: Hindu, Muslim billboards in India

Hoardings catch my eyes just like interesting posters, banners, wall graffiti and nameplates.

I just spotted the two hoardings, one of a religious function on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi and the other of a politico-cultural event.

The first is organised by Muslim organisations and invites for a Jalsa and subsequent Juloos [procession]. It is in Urdu and Hindi.


The other hoarding calls for a massive Hindu gathering. One can identify the man visible in the hoarding. He is Keshav Bali Ram Hedgewar, the founder of RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh.

RSS' core beliefs may not have changed but apparently there is a major difference from the Hedgewar or Golwalkar era. Now RSS leaders appear mild and no longer speak against Muslims [though VHP rabble-rousers do it now].

RSS functionaries sometimes attend Muslim conclaves and the ex-sarsanghchalak KC Sudarshan did interact with Muslim clergy, even taking up the cause of Waqf properties in the country, which had raised many an eyebrows.

None of the participants attending any of these events will go to the other programme but at least the hoardings stand together in perfect harmony.

Some other similar posts on this blog:

1. 'Hindu Motorcycle', Muslim Hand
2. Muslim Shop, Hindu God
3. Hindu Ascetic, Muslim Mystic
4. Hindu family taking out Tazia for 130 years
5. Chillas: 'Islamic shrines' in Deccan
6. Hindu Muslim prisoners hug outside jail
7. Is this man Hindu or Muslim?