Historically, the different religious communities of India have always participated in the festivals and other observances of other communities. However, these are polarised times when religious fault lines breed hostility and mistrust between communities. Hence, stories about the exchange of hospitality and generosity between communities are welcome. When a temple in Ayodhya hosted iftar (the breaking of the fast in the evening during Ramzan), a lot of people were touched and heartened.
This news story speaks about setting an example for communal harmony where people from different communities sat down together for an iftar meal. The temple priest Yugal Kishore said that this was not the first time that the temple hosted such an event, and that they will continue to do so in the future as well. “We should celebrate every festival with great zeal,” he said.
Many commentators welcomed the news and expressed the view that such gestures of goodwill help create an atmosphere of mutual respect and boost communal harmony. The temple's Iftar event was appreciated by the invitees as a gesture of love.
Many Indians feel that such exchanges between communities are the very essence of India; that these are the things that add to the colourful, vibrant, multi-hued fabric of our society.
Many believe that Hinduism is the most fluid, non-didactic of religions, and the most accepting of change. It is not hide-bound or dictated by strict dos and don'ts. As such, it does not impose restrictions upon Hindus or non-Hindus.
According to this commentator, secularism will destroy Hinduism. It is sad that the recent political atmosphere in the country has vitiated our social discourse to such an extent that ‘secularism’ has become a bad word.
A lot of commentators were disgruntled with the idea of Iftar being hosted in a temple. They wondered whether Hindu observances such as Jagrata or Mata ki Chowki would be hosted in a masjid.
A few commentators said that they had in fact seen Muslims host and celebrate many Hindu festivals and observances. This commentator brings out the distinction between a fasting ritual and actual worship.
In the end, this tweet tells us what is important to do: keep doing good deeds around us. As long as we do good to others, it is most likely that others would reciprocate in kind. At some point the vicious cycle of suspicion and hate has to break. At some point we all have to realise that only mutual trust and a willingness to accept the ‘other’ will help heal wounds; repair the fissures and reverse the animosity.
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