{"id":296667,"date":"2025-04-05T21:32:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T16:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.altnews.in\/english-clone-2026\/?p=296667"},"modified":"2025-04-05T22:35:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T17:05:20","slug":"to-fellow-indians-with-love-how-little-nameless-acts-of-kindness-mutual-respect-defeated-hate-this-eid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.altnews.in\/english-clone-2026\/to-fellow-indians-with-love-how-little-nameless-acts-of-kindness-mutual-respect-defeated-hate-this-eid\/","title":{"rendered":"To fellow Indians, with love: How little, nameless acts of kindness & mutual respect defeated hate this Eid"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cTum kala kamal likho, hum lal gulaab likhenge…<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

[Roughly translated as: Y<\/em>ou may say the rose is black, we shall keep saying it’s red, tinged in the colour of love.]<\/p>\n

Poet Aamir Aziz\u2019s words may have just rung true this Eid.<\/p>\n

Even as the Parliament pushed through the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill in the early hours of April 4, visuals of Hindus and Muslims reaching out to each other on Eid exchanging gestures of love and solidarity emerged across the country, offering a heart-warming contrast to the communal otherization that has become the new-normal in India in recent times. In several states, members of the Hindu community showered Namazis with flowers, while some waited outside mosques to greet them with embraces. Elsewhere, Muslims celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr visited local temples carrying messages of brotherhood wrapped in gift boxes.<\/p>\n

In Rajasthan, a BJP-led state often marred by divisive politics, businessman Sitaram Gupta\u2019s family in Jaipur continued a fourteen-year-old tradition, visuals of which were shared on social media. In the clip, Gupta, his wife, and the rest of his family can be seen distributing water to Namazis on Eid. In an era where religious festivals are frequently overshadowed by communal tension and violence, the Guptas\u2019 small yet touching gesture won the hearts of millions.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear_)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In an exclusive interview with Ummat Times<\/a>, Gupta and his wife expressed disbelief over how his gestures became one of the most-talked-about things this Eid. \u201cI didn\u2019t know this… I could never have imagined even in my dreams that a day would come when my water-distribution program would be seen by the whole of India.\u201d Speaking about his camaraderie with fellow Muslim businessmen, Gupta says, \u201cMany of them come to our house on Eid with mithai for my kids. We welcome them wholeheartedly, gift them Eidi too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gupta shared that he observed people walk long distances to reach the Eidgah in the heat. “(They) pass by us on foot\u2026 we offer them water, and they bless us in return.” When asked if others are involved, he said, \u201cIf our peers want to do the same, they\u2019re welcome to. But for us, this is a personal gesture. We\u2019ve never taken donations or financial help for it, and we never will. I fund everything myself\u2026 whatever is needed, we contribute willingly and with joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on religious festivities often being marred by communal tension, Gupta says, \u201cPeople should live together in harmony. We must move forward with a spirit of brotherhood. When Hindus and Muslims work side by side, it brings great joy to India. Both festivals deserve equal respect… that\u2019s my heartfelt wish.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a final message, Gupta said, \u201cMain toh yeh chahta hoon sab khush rahein. Sab shaant rahein. Mil-jul kar rahein. Aur apna desh taraqqi karein…<\/em> (To the man who recorded the viral video the video) Aapka bahut bahut shukriya ada karna chahunga ki jo mera message aage tak bhijwaya \u2014 iske liye bohot bohot dhanyavaad aapka.<\/em>\u201d (Translation: I just want everyone to stay happy, peaceful, and united \u2014 and for our country to prosper. Thank you so much for sharing my message. I\u2019m truly grateful to you.)<\/p>\n

[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AXmAS1bX_ZU?si=j1E9beNYsAQ0C1a7]<\/p>\n

Not far from The Guptas’ locality, in the Pink City itself, saffron-clad Hindu men could be seen showering flowers on Muslims who had come to the Eidgah on Delhi Road to pray. The initiative was reportedly undertaken under the banner of the Hindu-Muslim Unity Committee.<\/p>\n

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#WATCH<\/a> | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Under the banner of Hindu Muslim Unity Committee, Hindus showered flowers on the Muslims who came to Eidgah, located at Delhi Road, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. pic.twitter.com\/JsIigQ5yrK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Photojournalist Pallav Paliwal also shared footage of a man donning a saffron attire and showering the worshippers with flowers at Eidgah. “Communal Harmony”, he wrote in his caption.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In riot-stricken Maharashtra, a heartening gesture came from 64-year-old Sharad Kadam. The former Mumbai president of the Rashtriya Sewa Dal, along with four others, reportedly<\/a> stood outside a mosque in the densely populated area of Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar \u2014 wearing white caps and waiting to greet Namazis with red roses as they emerged from prayer. The group was then invited inside the mosque. Kadam and his compatriots were consequently promised by the Muslim community to take the relationship forward.<\/p>\n

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\u0928\u092b\u0930\u0924\u094b\u0902 \u0915\u0947 \u092c\u093e\u091c\u093c\u093e\u0930\u092e\u0947\u0902 \u092e\u094b\u0939\u092c\u094d\u092c\u0924\u094b\u0902 \u0915\u0940 \u0926\u0941\u0915\u093e\u0928\u0964<\/p>\n

\u0906\u091c \u0908\u0926..
\n\u092e\u0941\u0938\u094d\u0932\u093f\u092e \u092c\u093e\u0902\u0927\u0935\u093e\u0902\u0928\u093e \u0936\u0941\u092d\u0947\u091a\u094d\u091b\u093e \u0926\u0947\u0923\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0915\u0930\u093f\u0924\u093e \u0918\u093e\u091f\u0915\u094b\u092a\u0930 \u092e\u0927\u0940\u0932 \u092a\u093e\u0930\u0936\u0940 \u0935\u093e\u0921\u0940 \u092f\u0947\u0925\u0940\u0932…<\/p>\n

Posted by Sharad Kadam<\/a> on Sunday 30 March 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

In Uttar Pradesh, Saying it With Flowers<\/h4>\n

Uttar Pradesh has long been a hotbed of communal tension. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has gone on record making several communal remarks, specifically targeting Muslims \u2014 many of which have been documented by Alt News. However, this Eid, the state witnessed several heartening instances of individuals from the Hindu community reaching out to their Muslim compatriots, expressing solidarity by showering them with flowers.<\/p>\n

In Varanasi, several saffron-clad Hindu men were seen showering Muslim worshippers with flowers and embracing them as they exited a mosque. Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Zubair Khan, who is based out of Varanasi, shared a video of the interaction, describing it as \u201ca true example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.\u201d Zubair himself is also seen in the video hugging fellow citizens from the Hindu community.<\/p>\n

The incident reportedly<\/a> took place at the Benia Bagh area in Varanasi.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Mohammad Zubair Khan (@zubairkhan8939)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In UP\u2019s Amroha as well, Muslim worshippers were showered with flowers on their way to pray. Among those offering the gesture was a saffron-clad Hindu priest, adorned with a Rudraksha necklace. The clip was shared by journalist Shuaib Raza.<\/p>\n

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\u092f\u0947 \u0916\u0942\u092c\u0938\u0942\u0930\u0924 \u0924\u0938\u094d\u0935\u0940\u0930\u0947\u0902 \u0905\u092e\u0930\u094b\u0939\u093e \u0938\u0947, \u0908\u0926 \u0915\u0940 \u0928\u093e\u092e \u092a\u0922\u093c\u0928\u0947 \u091c\u093e \u0930\u0939\u0947 \u0932\u094b\u0917\u094b\u0902 \u092a\u0930 \u0939\u093f\u0902\u0926\u0941 \u0938\u092e\u0941\u0926\u093e\u092f \u0915\u0947 \u0932\u094b\u0917\u094b\u0902 \u0928\u0947 \u092b\u0942\u0932 \u092c\u0930\u0938\u093e\u090f.#EidMubarak<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/b12doACDs6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shuaib Raza | \u0634\u0639\u06cc\u0628 \u0631\u0636\u0627 (@ShoaibRaza87) March 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela recently concluded, several social organisations gifted roses to the worshippers after they offered prayers at the Eidgah. One Girish Chandra Pandey, who was present in the program, told Dainik Bhaskar<\/a> that the Muslim community was being presented with flowers, water and vermicelli in honour of fasting for 30 days. Additionally, Dainik Bhaskar reported<\/a> that the Muslim community also showered Hindu worshippers with flowers during the Maha Kumbh.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Image from Dainik Bhaskar report<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Similar gestures were seen from members of the Muslim community during Holi. In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh \u2014 a region that has witnessed several communal clashes in the past year, particularly over the Jama Masjid dispute that even led to fatalities \u2014 Muslims in the Sirsi neighbourhood showered Hindus<\/a> with flowers in a symbolic act of unity.\u00a0In Delhi\u2019s Seelampur as well, visuals emerged of Hindus showering their Muslim neighbours<\/a> with petals \u2014 a thoughtful gesture of respect and outreach.<\/p>\n

All in all, it was refreshing to witness a shift \u2014 individuals donning saffron attires and tilak, symbols that have increasingly become associated with aggressive majoritarianism, making conscious gestures of communal harmony. Notably, all of the incidents documented in this story took place in BJP-ruled states which have frequently witnessed communal tensions, often manifesting as vigilantism, hate speech, or targeted violence.<\/p>\n

Temple Visit on Eid in Bengaluru<\/h4>\n

A similar scene unfolded in Bengaluru, where Muslims stepped up to celebrate Eid by sharing their happiness with Hindu priests in neighbourhood temples.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to further communal harmony, Zahoor Ahmed and Mohammed Amer, part of an initiative called Gifting Sunnah where individuals unite for the cause of spreading love by distributing gifts on the day of Eid, went to several temples in the Karnataka Capital to share their joy.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Alt News, Ahmed said “There is a lot of communal vitriol being spread. We thought instead of just countering it, we would rather do some positive work which would have more impact. We have been distributing gifts since 2018. We put in our own money and do this. We would gift boxes to municipality workers, traffic police, normal police, people who work at petrol pumps and others who work on Eid and help us. But this year, for the first time, we went to the temples and met with the priests.”<\/p>\n

Additionally, he informed us that his compatriots were planning to visit churches and Gurudwaras as well. About the reception they got at the temples, Ahmed told us, “We were very nervous when we first approached them, as it was our first time doing something like this. But when we met the priests, they were very welcoming. They hugged us and shared in the joy. One Swamiji told me that we are all created by the same God and that there was no place for hatred among us. We visited seven temples in a single day, and despite wearing skull caps and kurtas \u2014 clear markers of our identity \u2014 we didn\u2019t face any issues at all.”<\/p>\n