Lingayats Host Iftar at Temple in Gadag, Promoting Communal Unity
In a heartwarming display of social cohesion, Lingayats in Gogeri village, located in Gadag district, hosted an iftar gathering on Friday evening. The event, held at the Sharanabasaveshwar temple, brought together Muslims and Lingayats to share the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during the holy month of Ramzan. This initiative serves as a powerful example of communal harmony and mutual respect in the rural community.
Tradition of Harmony Spanning Four Years
Husensab Badiger, chairman of the Anjuman Islam Committee in Gogeri, explained that this iftar tradition by Lingayats began four years ago as a deliberate gesture to strengthen communal bonds. "They sponsor a day's iftar during Ramzan and invite us to the Sharanabasaveshwar Temple. We happily participate. Previously, they sent food boxes to our mosque, and we reciprocated by sending our dishes on the last day of Ramzan," he noted. This exchange highlights the ongoing and reciprocal nature of their interfaith interactions.
Historical Roots of Unity in Gogeri Village
Rajesab I Bagawan, a teacher at the Logal Government Urdu Primary School, emphasized that Gogeri has a long history of communal harmony, stretching back centuries. "Beyond mass celebrations, we actively participate in each other's family ceremonies. In the past, our elder Moulasab Bagawan played a key role in constructing the Halakere Annadaneshwar Shakha Math here," he added. This historical collaboration underscores the deep-seated traditions of cooperation between different religious groups in the village.
Mutual Participation in Religious Events
Basavaraj Mulimani, former gram panchayat president, detailed further examples of this mutual respect. He mentioned that Muslim community members sponsor a day's dasoha (lunch) for all devotees during the annual Sharanabasaveshwar Purana in January. "There is a chapter called 'Gandha Lepapana' for Sharanabasaveshwar in the Purana, where they bring a garland and portrait of Khaja Bande Nawaz from the mosque through a bhajan procession. When we organize iftar, people from Maratha, Kuruba, and Dalit communities join us in the arrangements," he explained. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of brotherhood, with villagers addressing each other as family members like brother, sister, aunt, or uncle.
Community Leaders Praise Enduring Harmony
Local leaders and intellectuals, including Amaresh Ganiger, president of the Gajendragad Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Basanna Kotigi, president of the Gajendragad Taluk Sharana Sahitya Parishat, and Prof BA Kencharaddi, a writer, have observed these harmonious events for decades. They collectively remarked, "This village is the best instance of communal harmony," affirming the sustained and exemplary nature of social unity in Gogeri. Their statements reinforce the village's reputation as a model for peaceful coexistence.
Overall, the iftar hosted by Lingayats in Gadag not only celebrates religious diversity but also strengthens the fabric of communal life, setting a positive example for other regions to follow.
