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| Amid politicking, Jammu Dargahs show the way | | | Abodh Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 1: At a time when controversy over beef is threatening to demolish social cultural fabric of the nation, Jammu Dargahs are showing the way as these places are glaring instance of harmony and unison that are unique in India.
All roads leading to Chatha, on the hind side of Jammu airport wore a festive look. Sheila Koul and her friend Richa, Abdul Gani and his wife Razia and Kulwinder, a CRPF constable and his wife Surinder Kour, all believers of different faiths were braving hot summer afternoon to reach a common destination- Dargah of Peer Budhan Shah, at Chatha. All six of them paid obeisance at the Mazar with equal veneration and faith. For an outsider, it might be a peculiar sight, but people of Jammu have lived in the same harmony and respect to each other's faiths for ages.
Baba Budan Shah the great Sufi saint was said to be close to Guru Nanak Dev ji and there are several anecdotes of their camaraderie. His Mazar adjacent to airport has since been a seat of faith for those who look upto his divine help, irrespective of their faith. It is said that one who pays obeisance at the Mazar for seven consecutive Thursdays, has his prayers answered for sure.
Sheila had come to offer Chadar at the Mazar as she had got her marriage fixed. "She has been engaged" said her friend Richa as she herself was too shy to talk about it. Abdul Gani and Razia had been regular visitors to the shrine and Kulwinder, the CRPF constable and her wife had brought their new born son along as they believed that he was born of Baba's blessings after they offered special prayers at the Dargah for a baby son. "I was posted here at the airport and we were childless even after four years of our marriage" said Kulwinder. "Then a colleague advised us to come here and pray to the Baba. Same year my wife conceived and we have now been blessed with a baby son" he explained, his smile broadening.
Mazars of Jammu present a picture of Jammu's unmatched secular social fabric. The Silver lining that Gandhiji saw in Jammu and Kashmir when the sub continent burnt in communal hatred sixty seven years ago, still shines in these Mazars, binding people of different faiths together in a common cord- that of brotherhood and amity.
It is a strange paradox that while some are improvising different forms of evil to generate ill will and divide amongst communities, others cut across divides to bow in unison at the Mazars of this land of Sufis. |
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