Hindus Revive Muharram Rituals in Bihar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Hindus have revived in Muzaffarpur city of Bihar state of India Muharram rituals. Claiming their linage to Hussaini Brahmin sect, they also shed tears . in the memory of the martyrs of Karbalaand participate in the processions with equal veneration. It was their ancestors ,mostly Bhumihars, who had started the tradition that remained discontinued for decades as a fall out of India’s participation. Like Shioa Muslims, they walk barefoot, beat their chests and chant “Ya Hussain-Ya Hussain” from Bara Imambara in Brahampur locality to Karbala where Tazias are buried traditionally..  

Preferred to be called as Hussaini Brahamins,they also carry a banner proclaiming their sentiments towards the Imam and his martyrdom. "Our ancestors also fought in support of Imam Hussain and sacrificed their lives in Karbala and we are equally pained at the historical martyrdom," says Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha convenor Arun Kumar Sharma.

References in several books and records confirm that some Hindus did join Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, when his small band of companions were slaughtered by the tyrannical forces of Caliph Yazid at Karbala (in Iraq) on October 10, 680 AD. The sect had had returned to India after the massacre and assumed various titles like Datts, Mohiyals, Tyagis and many others. They also practiced an intriguing blend of Islamic and Hindu traditions and people called the Half Hindu and Half Musalman, Legendary Bollywood superstar ,parliamentarian and father of actor Sanjay Dutt,the late Sunil Dutt, who belonged to Hussaini Brahmin sect, used to attend Muharram processions.

The sect rergrets the discontinuation of tradition and frankly admits that their forefathers were at fault for not teaching them about their association with the battle of Karbala,their historical and cultural part. Shias now allow them to march them ahead of the procession as a mark of respect. They also believe firmly  that the battle of Karbala was a war to save humanity and faith. They are  proud that their  ancestors, too, sacrificed their livesfor Imam Hussain.

Legend has it that Rahab Sidh Datt had fought on behalf of Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala, sacrificing his seven sons in the process. Rahab was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad at the time of the battle of Karbala. In his novel "Karbala", Munshi Prem Chand mentions about Hindus fighting for Imam Hussain and referred to them as descendants of Ashwastthama, son of  Guru Dronacharya of Mahabharat fame in his famous drama titled “Karbala”. 

Ironically, the Hussaini Brahmin sect is today a rapidly vanishing community. The younger generation of the clan are said to be abandoning their ancestral heritage, some seeing it as embarrassingly deviant.They don’t appreciate those opposing the revival. "We should, rather, feel proud of this tradition," said Sharma who has painstakingly pursued his caste people to help revive this heritage. "Before the advent of Islam, we had blood relations with the people of the Arab world and would like to continue the tradition, irrespective what people say” Sharma claimed.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com