Barmer: cutting across the religius divide

Barmer, Sep 29 (UNI) The Hindus and Muslims in Barmer district of Rajasthan have been setting an example of religious tolerance and communal harmony, when fundamentalists all over, are using religion as a weapon of destruction.

While Hindus observe fast in the holy month of Ramzan, Muslims show the same reverence to Hindu deities by participating in their festivals.

The Hindu refugees from Sindh province settled in the villages close to the border after the partition still observe Ramzan fasting as a part of their customs and tradition. In villages such as Namlore, Jaisindher, Akli, Mapuri, Solak, Khalefe Ki Babri, Kumhar ki Tila with the beginning of the Ramzan, many Hindus join hands with Muslims to observe fast.

Kalu Singh Rathore, an ex serviceman of Thalmore village, said, ''Here nobody can distingush between Hindus and Muslims as religious practices of both the communities could not be differentiated.'' Suleman of Makkan ka Par village said while Hindus have the same reverence to Allah as for their own deities, Muslims also reciprocate in a similar way. He said the Muslims also offer cocounts on the occassion of the Hindu new year at local Hindu temples. Some Hindu families also conduct burial of the dead.

Sixty five year old Nemaram Meghwal of Gadisar village said ''ever since I remember I used to observe Ramzan fasting every year. When asked for the reasons he said ''kuda ka Hukhum hai'' (it is a decree of god). He said we think in terms of humanity rather then Muslims and Hindus here.

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