Preparations are in full swing for Dussehra in Jammu-Kashmir. In the premises of old Jammu’s Geeta Bhawan, more than 50 Hindu and Muslim artisans are busy in giving finishing touches to the statues of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnada. Here, the Dussehra celebrations are a classic example of communal harmony and togetherness. Muhammad Rehan, contractor from UP’s Meerut’s Mainaputhi village, and his team have been preparing statues in Jammu for the last 30 years.
These statues are sent for Dussehra celebrations to areas like Rajouri, Poonch, Katra, Reasi, Akhnoor, Samba, and Kathua. Statues for Dussehra celebrations at Leh have already been sent from the site. Reha’’s relative, Muhammad Ghiyasuddin said that in their group, 16-17 members are Muslims while the rest are Hindus, and added how each member gained immense happiness out of making the statues.
On the other hand, communal harmony on the occasion of Navratri can be witnessed inside the prisons of Uttar Pradesh. In 41 prisons out of 75 in the state, more than 460 Muslim prisoners are fasting on Navratri. Navratri fast is being observed by a Christian prisoner as well. In western UP’s Muzaffarnagar prison, 218 Muslim prisoners observing Navratri fast have given the example of communal harmony. Here, inmates from both Hindu and Muslim communities are offering Puja together.
