By TCN News,
New Delhi: That was a rare sight at this past Kumbh – mass Hindu ritual bath in Allahabad. A caravan of peace activists drawn from different parts of the country visited the Kumbh, met Hindu sadhus men and women, lived in their camps and talked about Hindu-Muslim unity – a must to keep India united and flourishing. Sadhus were surprised to see the caravan – some of its members sporting Muslim skullcap – but embraced them for the noble work they were doing.
The tiny caravan of peace activists reached Kumbh site on 29th March in the early morning. They were given warm welcome by Shiv Kumar Jha and Sadhvi Gita. The messengers of peace stayed in the tent of Maa Shri Pragiyaa (of Save Ganga Mission) near the bank of Ganga.
After one hour rest, they went out meeting people and spread the message of peace. They met a group of women saints and discussed various social issues. Moving on, they met some eminent sadhus and presented them a couple of books like Hindu Muslim Unity: Truth and Falsehood, and Shanti Paath written by Prof V.K Tripathi of IIT Delhi. They discussed various burning issues related with Hindu Muslim unity in India.
Next day the group visited various camps of sadhus and met people there. Soon they ran out of the literature and pamphlets, such was the demand from the people visiting Kumbh for ritual bath.
“First time in my life, I saw such scene. Often we see many people not willing to keep our pamphlets but here people were warmly taking the literature and asking as to how many times they should read it,” says Delhi’s Faisal Khan, member of the caravan. And those whom we could not give the pamphlets they became angry, adds Khan. The people the caravan met and gave literature promised that they will distribute it in their areas.
Other members of the team were M H Gandhi (Gujarat), Shah Alam (UP), Sajjad Kargili (J&K) and Suresh Bhai (UP).
The team would start meeting people in the early morning and continued their mission till late night. On the last day, they went to president of All India Sadhu Samaj, Shri Sadhu Rushirwananad ji’s Chetaniya Joyti Ashram and discussed various burning issues related with Hindu Muslim unity and the issues currently facing the country. They also met Shankar Achariya Swami Sarupanand ji.
“Many people admitted that they are very eager to discuss mutual issues with Muslims and they expressed their happiness to find an opportunity to discuss with Muslims. And many Sadhus expressed their solidarity and eagerness to join us,” says Khan.
Maa Pragiyaa ji’s Ashram was the residence of the team. The Sadhvi was personally taking care of the members. “Sami Rushwiranand and Maa Pragiya were keenly interested that we extend our stay there. We were worrying but when we saw people and sants were welcoming us we got some courage” Khan recalls.
Whatever we got and achieved in three days we cannot achieve while organizing seminars and debates. Now we have vowed to work more on this issue and we will believe we will overcome the communal elements soon and succeed in our mission for peace, he adds.