Muslims help restore 80-year-old temple for Kashmiri Pandits: Communal Harmony Project-45

It is another hearing story. Kashmiri Muslims helping restore an old temple so that the Kashmiri Pandits can worship, there.

This is happening in Achan village in Pulwama. Local Muslims have joined hands with their neighbours to rebuild the Shiva temple.

The chairman of the local Waqf committee, Nazeer Mir, said that the Kashmiri Pandit family wanted the temple to be restored, so that devotees can again come here and worship.

In the past, people came from far and wide to pay obeisance at this temple. But after militancy began, the situation changed. Most of the Pandits had migrated from Achan, years ago.

The lone Hindu family in Achan wanted temple to be restored and hence local Muslims took up the task. Got Rs 4 lakh sanctioned from the district administration. They hope that the temple that was neglected for long, would be read soon for the devotees.

A report in The Tribune by M Aamir Khan mentions  that, "This temple is famous for a spring that changes colours and devotees from all over the country used to come here".

Mohammad Yunus, a member of the Auqaf Committee, said they wanted that the temple bells and ‘azaan’ (call for prayer) were heard together at Achan. “It is our wish that Pandits return and live together with us like before. 

Though the restoration work started in August last year, it had to be stopped in the winter due to heavy snowfall. By summer, we are hopeful that our village will hear the ‘azaan’ and temple bells together,” he said.

NDTV report by Nazir Masoodi quotes Bhushan Lal, "Our neighbours who are Muslims are doing it because they respect this temple". His younger brother, Sanjay Kumar, said it's their Muslim neighbours who are more important to them than their relatives who have migrated from the village. 

He said it's not just restoration of the temple but they take care of everything in most troubled times. "We live here like brothers and the Awqaf committee helped us in its restoration" said Mr Kumar.

LINK: Neighbours join hands to restore temple in Jammu and Kashmir [NDTV]

LINK: Pandits, Muslims join hands to renovate temple in Kashmir [Tribune]

Photo Courtesy: Early Post

Yet another lynching bid in Alwar, Sagheer survives: Will Congress government in Rajasthan rein in the cow vigilantes?

Once again, a lynching bid in Rajasthan.

And once again, it's Alwar, the most notorious place as far as cow vigilantes' terror is concerned.

It's here that Rakbar Khan was set afire when the accused' kin shot a video.

It was in Alwar that Pahlu Khan was beaten and he died.

And, it is the same place where Umardeen was shot dead. Cow vigilantes' terror continues in the region. So what if the regime has changed!

Self-styled 'cow vigilantes' have the power to stop and thrash anyone without any fear of police. Mohammad Sagheer was suspected of involvement in cattle trade.

Hence, he was beaten up brutally. This incident occurred in Bagherikhurd in the district. Sagheer is admitted in the hospital. Police sources said that his condition is serious but improving.

Under BJP rule, Rajasthan witnessed series of lynchings and cow vigilantes' lawlessness. Rajasthan's reputation was hit as a result of these killings and terror. Now, Congress is in the power. Will it bring the law-and-order in control?

It is the Congress' responsibility now.

Administration stops Namaz in park, companies make provision for Muslim employees in premises: Communal Harmony Project-44

After the administration forcibly stopped Namaz in parks in Noida, several companies have showed a great gesture.

They have made provision that Namaz can be held on Friday in the premises of these companies [or factories].

Hindus largely supported Muslims, realising that the community members pray on Friday in congregation and due to lack of mosques in the area, often find a place where they can pray.

There was condemnation of the order. Worse, local officials ordered to pour water on the ground where Namaz is held so that people couldn't pray.

In such a situation, Hindu community decided to take a stand. Many officials said that they would ensure that the Muslim employees don't face the problem.

Ironically, the news about this gesture didn't get much coverage in the newspapers and Hindi dailies printed single column news. The owners said that Muslims have been allotted space.

At some places on premises on the ground, at other places on the rooftop. They have also said that they would ensure arrangement of Imam. This is a story that needs to be told. When people care for each other, it helps in building a strong nation.

READ: GOVT SHUTS PARK FOR PRAYERS, FACTORY OWNERS OPEN CAMPUSES

[Harmony exists all around us but is often ignored. Instead, stories of hate, discord and communalism get spread easily.

There are a million examples in our daily lives across India but they don't get promoted, hence, news of hate and discord gets heard more. Let's change it, now.

This is a small attempt to change it through Communal Harmony Project]

For reading similar reports on this blog, Click the link HERE and also find out more about Communal Harmony Project]

#Communalharmony #Communalharmonyproject #India

TRAGIC: Yet another policeman killed in UP, but nothing shocks anymore, all forgotten within a day

Yet another police personnel has been killed in Uttar Pradesh.

Suresh Vats was attacked in Ghazipur, and he succumbed to the injuries.

The attackers wanted to go to Prime Minister's rally and were stopped on way.

Vats who was in security duty, was returning when he was targeted and got a fatal injury. This resulted in his death.

The Nishad Sena members were allegedly involved in the incident that occurred in Ghazipur. Vats was posted in Karimuddinpur police station, but hailed from Pratapgarh.

This is the second incident of a policeman killed in UP, recently. Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh, was killed in a violent attack by right-wing radicals in Bulandshahr. In that case, all the accused are yet to be arrested.

ALL FORGOTTEN, NOTHING SHOCKS ANYMORE, ALL FORGOTTEN

Unfortunately, such incidents create short outrage and are forgotten, soon. Most of the incidents have a 'news value' of barely a day or even a few hours--6 hrs or 12 hrs.

So much is happening regularly that it seems no one is now shocked anymore. There is condemnation, then demands for compensation or job for kin. If there is no strong protest, it is all forgotten affair after headlines in the morning paper.

Why I avoid Facebook fights, Twitter arguments: No I am not silent but there is a reason to not fall into this trap on social media

I no longer argue, in fact, I totally avoid Twitter debates or long Facebook arguments.

Issues remain the same even as years have passed, discussing them over and over again.

During 1990s, I remember how much I kept explaining & debating. Then for over a decade on this blog, I kept arguing & answering [issues remain same], eventually realised the futility.

Such was the hate pouring in that I had to shut the comments section in order to keep myself sane.

Now, this doesn't mean that we are going to get silent or not expose. But no point in arguing with anybody and the same issues that keep popping up after every few months.

One must speak, explain the position but certain things are so engrained & people don't want to accept. Those who argue, those who have the patience, must do it. I am not interested now, no urge left, feel too much energy is spent over it.

Ten yrs from now too, there'll be same debates over Vande Matram or Yoga, Bharat Mata or Saraswati Vandana. Sometimes it feels that this is a strategy, a trap too.

The moment you are in explanatory mode, you are on back foot and you explain things sincerely, the other guy would be ready with his list--now what about this!

Of course, it is important to speak on issues, understanding the importance of narrative building and speaking our mind freely, contradicting the false narrative. But not these arguments, engaging with anybody  who start questioning, has to gall to make any charge-allegation. NO.

READ: Right-wing trolls' strategy, how to avoid the trap