I belong to the area of Lucknow which is popularly known as the Old Lucknow City or Purana Lucknow. My family has been living in the city for generations. My father, after he got married, moved with us to a separate home in a newly established colony, away from the densely populated Muslim majority area of Old City. I started studying in an English medium school and made a lot of friends.
While growing up in Lucknow, I realized one thing that Lucknow is one of the most secular and peaceful cities of India. Though Uttar Pradesh is known for being home to many top-rated criminals, Lucknow, however, is different or I should rather say ‘was’ different. I’ve lived my entire life in this city, fondly called ‘Nawabon Ka Sheher(city of nobles)‘ It has taught me many things, being secular and loving everyone I meet is one of them. Yes, Lucknow like any other city has its own criminal history (Vivek Tiwari Murder Case), but in the past, it was not a place where anyone might feel insecure or unsafe for being a native of a different state or a believer of a different religion. I always used to boast that Lucknow is one of the most peaceful and secular cities with a rich history and delicious food. Now sadly, its only rich history and delicious food.
Recently, a Kashmiri street vendor was beaten mercilessly for being a Kashmiri. It sounds preposterous, and no one is more disgusted than I am, at this inhumane incident. For as long as I can remember, Kashmir and Lucknow have had a really unique and strong relationship. Young Kashmiri boys and girls going around collecting money or Kashmiri shawl and suits seller coming in my locality, and all the women would just grab anything they can get a hold onto. Kashmiri chai is as popular as anything else in Lucknow.
But one day everything changed, when a couple of goons and self-proclaimed nationalist, donning saffron color with a big stick in their hands beat up an innocent man selling dry fruits for being a Kashmiri and justified it by saying, “Ye Kashmiri hai patthar maarta hai (he is a Kashmiri, he pelts stones).” They think that they are the protectors of this nation and can do anything they want. Since the “Hindutva Yodha(warrior)” Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of UP, these self-proclaimed nationalists think they own this place. Whatever has happened in Pulwana is indeed disgusting and a brutal assault on this country, but what’s more awful are these events happening across the nation, and no one seems to bat an eye. The silence of common people is more dangerous than the violence of these goons. Aren’t we giving them(the Kashmiris) the message that they don’t belong to this country? Aren’t we making them more vulnerable to terrorists, who want to establish their dominance on the youth of Kashmir?
I never imagined that Lucknow one day will become a place where communal violence will take place in broad daylight. I was hoping that this fire of communalism and violation of human rights will never reach my city, but unfortunately, it did. It has made me realise that sooner or later the fire will reach my home as well. What’s next now? Maybe they will have a problem with the tag of ‘Nawabon ka Sheher‘ as it has nothing to do with their skewed version of (Bhartiya Sanskriti Indian culture). Anything can happen now because we are silent and not raising our voices against this state of lawlessness. We just don’t care, and we are equally responsible for letting this communal hatred spread so intensely in the society. I ask these goons and people with such menial mentality- what are you claiming for? A Kashmir without the people of Kashmir? Ethnic cleansing of Kashmir?!! Is that what you wish for?
We need to get together and ask our leaders why all of this fanaticism is happening around us. Otherwise, the day is not far when Loktantra (Democracy) will become Bheedtantra (Mobocracy). It’s time to get together and save the secular fabric of India.