Varanasi ghat reverberates with message of love

By Matters India Reporter

Varanasi, Jan 8, 2022: The civil society people in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh committed to secularism and composite culture, have initiated a series of programs to promote communal harmony and peace.

The programs, held under the banner of “Paigam-e-Muhabat (Message of Love), are being held in the wake of hate speech, exclusive and divisive ideologies being spread by the fundamentalist forces.

Under the leadership of Indian Missionary Society Fathers Anand Mathew and Praveen Joshi the campaign was held on January 8 in Assi Ghat on the bank of Varanasi. It was here that three days ago divisive elements had exhibited posters to warn non Hindus against visiting the river bank.

The artistes of Prerna Kala Manch, the theater troupe of Vishwa Jyoti Communications of the Indian Missionary Society, presented the message of unity in diversity through songs on fraternal love, unity in diversity, and short skits on communal harmony.

Well known poets of Varanasi and around recited poems and couplets (mushaira) during the cultural evening.

The campaign addressed the issue of sectarian exclusivism and appealed people to exercise their franchise in the election to the state legislative assembly which was announced earlier in the day. The poets through their songs appealed people to beware of polarization by the political leaders based on faith and caste.

A street play titled “Bhookh banam Dharm” (Hunger versus Religion) the artistes depicted how the politicians divide the peace loving society so as to polarize the voters in the name of faith, caste and class.

Nihar Bhattacharya, a poet, said that Varanasi is a city of all religions including Parsis, Jews and Bahais. This city never had any war, but nowadays politicians try to disturb the composite culture if Varanasi, he bemoaned.

A large number of local people, pilgrims, tourists and university students attended the program. The program ended with the crowd singing “We shall overcome….” and taking pledge to overcome hatred with love.

Uttar Pradesh is among five states going to the poll during February-March. The Election Commission of India on January 8 announced a seven-phase election in Uttar Pradesh.