In the times of communal tensions and sporadic violence, there is a need for places and people that set an example of unity in diversity.
A village in Uttar Pradesh has done just that. In this village of the state, Hindus and Muslims participate in feasts and rituals together at a Shiva temple. The land for this temple was donated by a Muslim nawab way back in the eighteenth century.
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The Bhamrawa village, with a population of nearly 3,000, has 75 per cent of its population who are Muslims. According to?documents available at the centuries-old Rampur Raza Library, the temple was constructed in 1788 on the land donated by Nawab Hamid Ali Khan. The two communities have been living in perfect sync in the area, reported PTI.
Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada spoke to PTI about the harmony in the place despite communal tensions across the nation and said that Bhamrawa is one of the very few examples of communal harmony in the state, and probably in the country. "It is surprising to see the Shiva temple in the village being guarded by Muslims, who regularly cooperate and participate in religious rituals. It is surprising to see a mosque right opposite of the temple." he said.
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Asked about the use of loudspeakers in the village, Mohsin Mian, a villager, said loudspeakers at the mosque go silent during religious ceremonies in the temple, vice versa.?The villagers also said the Muslim community members of the village take it upon themselves to provide security to the temple even when communal disturbances take place in Rampur or in any other parts of the country.