The Muslims in Yogi Adityanath's mutt

Is the newly-minted Uttar Pradesh chief minister anti-Muslim or a victim of media bias? Read on to find out

For someone who is painted with a communal colour more often than not, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Gorakhpur mutt is anything but communal, with many Muslims being part of the workforce, volunteers and traders in the complex. From tending to the cows to managing land records and running shops inside the mutt, their experiences in the mutt are contrary to others' beliefs of how Adityanath perceives the minority community.

Zakir Ali Waarsi, 51, has been working for the Mutt since 2004. He maintains important land records and construction related work, apart from assisting Dwarika Tiwari, Yogi Adityanath's associate. Waarsi, along with Mohammed Yaseen work with members of Hindu Yuva Vahini and oversee construction of a medical college-cum-research institute near the Mutt. Yaseen is also responsible for constructions that take place in other properties, beyond the premises, that the mutt owns.

"Maharaj ji's image outside is contradictory to how his mutt works. I have been here since 2004. I handle crucial documents and assist in the Durbar," Waarsi told media persons.

Yasin Ansari has supervised all expenditures of the Gorakhnath Temple for the last 35 years. Muhammed Moan takes care of 'Mahaja ji's favourite bovines. His father used to work in the mutt's cowshed and now the son is following his footsteps. He tends to the cows every day and starts his day at 3 am, along with other workers. Apart from those who work for the mutt, there are many from the minority community who run shops in the mutt's complex.

From bangles to utensils, Muslim families, just like many Hindu families, earn a living inside the mutt premises. There have been Muslim women who have cooked in the Mutt's kitchen just as they have taken part in voluntary service associated with Yogi Adityanath's Mutt.

Most importantly, those who live inside the mutt and residents of Gorakhpur in general speak of no disparity, differential treatment by their MP.

OneIndia News