This is a million dollar photo, couldn’t help but sharing it. A Muslim mother preparing her son for a competition generally held on Krisha-Janmashtami (translation: Krishna’s birth day), a rare scene, at least for me! I have never seen anything like before.
I don’t know what level of answer it provides for the doubts raised on religious intolerance, may not be a lot. May be it is a remote case. But, this does show a straight middle finger to clerics who declare “thou shall not worship Gods of other religion”.
Credits: I don’t know whom to give credit, looks like nobody does! For the time being thanks to Jo for sharing it.
The Bach 
It is difficult to imagine this post Mandal Kamandal era(VP Singh Mandal commission gimmick and Advani ji’s rath yatra to counter it), Muslims and Hindus celeberating festivals together was always a common occurence in India.I remember playing Holi and celebrating Eid with my Muslim friends as a child.
This post might interest you- http://pr3rna.wordpress.com/2008/02/25/secular-india/
LikeLike
Prerna,
When I was a kid, I have been part of so many festivals and never seen my friends among Muslims and Christians participating. When I asked, they gave me straight answer “they are forbidden from doing so”!!
All the example you and few others gave me, I think, are exceptional cases and remote.If they are widespread, its good for the society. On the same time if it does not happen, it is not exactly bad.
India is by default tolerant. Only concern is they are made aware to be intolerant at a higher rate than to be tolerant.
LikeLike
Well, I have a diff experience. We use to participate in Diwali, Holi and Christmas in our childhood. And majority of my good friends are non muslims. They ll sure testify the same.
Also, we share a similar point. Tolerance doesnt mean xchanging each other’s act of rituals. One can only follow his rituals and xhange pleasentaries, prayers, wishes and develop brotherhood.
LikeLike
Agreed, Tolerance is not practising someone else’s rituals. It is accepting someone else ritual should have same respect as yours.
LikeLike
My experience is a mixed bag. Though I personally would say there is no real acceptance, tolerance levels, depending on individuals and families determine these expressions
LikeLike
Oh yes, freedom is “swinging the hands” as far as you like. It should stop when it could touch someone else’s nose. 🙂
LikeLike
divine…..as internet has connected us….so is open mind….many of the finest spiritual poems on Krishna are by Muslims….as colour of blood is same….imagine God as potato how you cook and what you make is your choice…basics of all paths is love only….
love all…
LikeLike
“God as potato” good idea, I take noodles as mine.
Say that out loud, lets see if it accepted. you will get to here “thou shall not worship vegetables and food” !!
LikeLike
Bach
Nice foto.
May be a very small but powerful statement made through this.
LikeLike
Agree, I wish I was that photographer to take all these credits 🙂
LikeLike
This is commonly we can see in almost villages of the India. It is mutual acceptance of religious rituals from the heart. Most of the festivals of Hindus & Muslims celebrations will go with greeting mutually.
Only our political systems have spoiled this.
LikeLike
political systems is built by people 🙂
LikeLike
Many of flower vendors come from Muslim community from whom we purchase flowers for offering to our God.
LikeLike
Oh yes, and I have heard hindu women presenting Agarbattis to Mosques.
LikeLike
A wonderful picture.
You know, a few years ago I would have looked at this and said “What’s the big deal? Everyone’s like that.”
Now I know better. I’ve come across so much bigotry and hatred on the Internet that it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to see a tolerant and accepting gesture on the part of someone.
We need to see more instances like this – instead of focusing on the opposite.
LikeLike
Bhagwad,
Welcome to my blog, thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike