Exemplary tolerance

In these times when communal and religious fundamentalism and intolerance seem to be on the rise, the following extract from a recent Supreme Court judgment in Hinsa Virodhak Sangh vs Mirza-pur Moti Kuresh Jamat deserves widespread publicity.

"We may give another historical illustration of tolerance in our country. In the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Avadh, in a certain year Holi and Muharram coincidentally fell on the same day. Holi is a festival of joy, whereas Muharram is an occasion for mourning. The Hindus of Lucknow decided that they would not celebrate Holi that year out of respect for the sentiments of their Muslim brethren. On that day the Nawab joined the Muharram procession and after burial of the Tazia at Karbala he enquired why Holi was not being celebrated. He was told that it was not being celebrated because the Hindus out of respect for the sentiments of their Muslim brethren had decided not to play Holi that year… On hearing this Nawab Wajid Ali Shah declared that since Hindus have respected the sentiments of their Muslim brothers, it is also the duty of the Muslims to respect the sentiments of their Hindu brethren. Hence he announced that Holi would be celebrated the same day and he himself was the first who started playing Holi on that day and thereafter everyone in Lucknow, including the Muslims, played Holi, although it was Muharram day also. It is this kind of tolerance which alone can keep our country united.”

We all need to remember that each one of us must allow to every other human being every human right we claim for ourselves.

NADIR MODI