Joint Muharram Procession of Hindus and Muslims in Shahbad
Dr. Mazhar Naqvi
Despite advent of separatist forces, Shahbad village of Bareilly district has been presenting Hindu-Muslim unity sponsored Muharram ceremonies since 1857. Muharram=2019 was no exception with both communities, like yesteryears, observed martyrdom of Imam Hussain with religious fervor and solemnity .
They began observing jointly Muharram
after a villager fell prey to the British
atrocities to attain martyrdom for the sake of India’s freedom in 1857.They
jointly brought the body of slain Nizam Ali Khan Bhijpur Ghat and decided to
keep the village harmonious. As they had
carried body of Nizam on their shoulders , the village elders also resolved to
carry Taziya of imam Hussain during Muharram, opining that Imam had laid down
his life for the sake of humanity and the tragedy inspired freedom fighter to
sacrificed his life against the persecution of the British.
More than, 112 years have passed since
then but nothing has changed in the village with regard to observance of
Muharram. Hindus and Muslims jointly keep Tazias at Imam Chowks and take out
processions on Shabe- Ashur and Yaume Ashur. Tazias halt at each Hindu house
and women make offerings and take vows.
About a dozen Hindu families keep Tazias
at their homes. Mostly keep them with the firm belief that with the blessings
of Holy Imam they will not land n any kind of trouble till the arrival of next Yaume
Ashura-the 10 and culmination day of the first phase of two and eight days
month long Muharram mourning observed by Imamis in Rohlkhand that once was part
of Awadh kingdom. The Hhindus also
prepare Dal, Chapati, Tea and Sharbat for distribution in the ‘Langar’
organized in remembrance of Imam’s thirst and hunger.
Over the years, Muharram of Shahbad
has become quite popular and attracts devotees from nearby villages and neighboring
districts. The village Pradhan(Chief) Sajid Khan make elaborate arrangements with
the help of people like Faqire Lal and Anup Bhojwal and many others to look
after them as guests of imam Hussain. Of late, a sort of fair comes up in
Shahbad after the sighting of Muharram moon and it lasts till the burial of
Tazias at village Karbala. Shops also come for the temporary fair and the entire village seems to be recalling
the tragedy of Karbala.
To keep revelers and loafers at bay, over
50 youths of both the communities keep round the clock vigil in and around Imam
Chowks and till date not a single disturbance has been reported during Muharram
.The villagers are proud of their tradition and feels that Muharram ceremonies,
if followed with true spirit, can certainly check the erosion is being noticed
in the age old tradition of peaceful coexistence in Hindi heartland.
Sita ram who has been keeping a Tazia at
his house for the past two decades has no intention of leaving he custom even
though he is constantly approached by reformists who keep reminding them that
he has nothing to do with Muharram being a Sanatandharmi. He however pays no
attention to such piece of advises and prefers to concentrate on his Taziadari.
“In crisis,I was helped by Imam not by any reformist. how can I forget that? I
will continue observing Muharram till my last breath. After me,it is upto my
children to decide what to do?”
Source :Imamis of Shahbad/TOI/Jagran/Photo Courtesy google Images
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