The Spirit of Varanasi

The first impression of Varanasi for people in India is that of holiness. The city on the banks of the river Ganga is the oldest city in the world. It is also in Uttar Pradesh, where people are divided along religious and casteist lines. Looking at the communal sensitivity on which the country is undergoing, it will be no surprise if Varanasi becomes the battleground of a bloodier riot than Godhra.

But, if a report on NDTV is to believed, Varanasi has remained insulated from events that have occured in Uttar Pradesh. Recent riots that had engulfed Gorakhpur a few months back threatened to spill over into Varanasi. But, fortunately, it did not and the city remained calm. A test of its social fabric occured in 2006, when two bombs ripped through the Sankat Mochan temple, killing and injuring people. The whole nation was tense of the aftermath, but nothing happened. In fact, the temple resumed services the very next day.

So, what makes Varanasi so insular from these events? Could it be that the people are active in preventing troublesome elements from engaging these activities? Varanasi could be the case study where-in the people have taken steps to ensure that the social fabric is not ripped. Perhaps, the fact remains that people of various religions live closeby and have been together for quiet some time. It is perhaps this closeness, which has enabled people to block out trouble at most times.

Could this be the answer for the rebirth of Secularism? Society should consist of diverse cultures, through which interaction and understanding is high. This mutual understanding can stand firm against elements that want to destroy the exisiting fabric. The only thing that society needs to guard against is the Politics that might be played to gain mileage. Politics and certain other misunderstandings could sour relaions, otherwise Varanasi follows the simple and overlooked fact of life. Muslim or Hindu or anybody else, everybody is human.

But, a short report or the barrage of visuals might make anybody see the positive aspect of Varanasi. Maybe, underneath the surface, there is trouble brewing perhaps. Maybe, the spectre of Hindu Nationalism might establish itself in Varanasi. The people, in the hope of a better life, do something foolish. The elections in UP and the results shall determine that. But, we need to have more of Varanasi in India. Not necesarily for the Holiness, but for Secularism and Humanity. I will not consider the fact that Varanasi is the heart of conservative India. But, if humanity can succeed and throw out the troublesome elements in Society, then India can be saved. Let us forget the holy aspect of the city and the Ganga, but rather focus on the spirit of humanity rather.