Setting yet another example of religious tolerance and communal harmony, city Muslims in Gaya in Indian state of Bihar will offer cool water and sweet drinks to devotees taking part in Ramnavami processions.
The sweet drinks will be offered at some of the most sensitive points along the Gautam Buddha Road and Nadiraganj locality of the town.
The imams of all important mosques conveyed this decision to Gaya senior superintendent of police (SSP) Garima Mallik during a meeting here on Friday, that Muslims will offer drinks so to help the Hindu devotees in beating the heat.
Welcoming the gesture of the Muslim groups, VHP district chief Mani Lal Barik told TOI that the good gesture would be properly honoured and reciprocated. The country belongs to all of us and mutual respect for each other’s faith would promote harmony and goodwill, said the VHP district chief.
The SSP had called a meeting with imams, maulavis and intellectuals of the minority community to seek their cooperation in maintaining law and order during the religious processions.
It is not for the first time that such a goodwill gesture would be seen here. About two years ago, Jagadguru Swami Raghwacharya, then Mahanth of Vaishnavite Ramanujacharya Math, had offered accommodation and food to Haj pilgrims arriving at Gaya to board Jeddah-bound flights. Reciprocating the gesture, imams had offered similar facilities to Hindu pilgrims coming here during the Pitrapaksh Mela.
The SSP said a close vigil would be kept on trouble-makers during the processions to avoid any untoward incident.