In Asansol, violence won’t have last word

Asansol: Sagnik Mukherjee and Sohail Khan have just put together a record partnership of 90 runs to help their local team steal a victory over their opponents at

Asansol

Durgapur Development (ADD) ground but their feat goes beyond a sporting one. These budding cricketers are trying to bridge the chasm between Hindus and Muslims of Railpar area in Asansol that was the epicentre of violence in the wake of Ram Navami processions in March.

OK Road, heading west from Asansol Station, roughly divides Railpar into two geographical halves — Muslim ghettos are on the left and Hindu colonies on the right. Most residents are either associated with the Railways or the coal business.

In the aftermath of the violence, communication channels between the two communities shut down.

Children took the first step to break the ice and played a key role in pushing the reconciliation process. This was not easy because of anxiety and fear of outsiders fomenting trouble despite both sides wanting to move on. “When my son told me he wanted to play cricket at the ADD ground a few days after the strife, I was scared. But he insisted, and I had to give in though I never supported it then,” said Sagnik’s mother, Sucharita.

Similarly, Sohail’s father Abdul and many other parents had barred them from the ground. “But they would not listen. They insisted on playing with their old friends. We had to allow them,” said Zeenat Begum, whose son Arsal plays cricket daily at ADD ground.

When emotional scars started to heal, the elders realized how the children had shown them the way. “We thought when religion does not divide the children, why are we getting affected so badly. Both communities have peacefully stayed in Asansol for decades, and peace and reconciliation is the only way forward,” said Sagar Das, who owns a convenience store.

In the past year, there have been several programmes in which both communities have participated. Imam Imdadullah Rashidi, who lost his 16-year-old son in last year’s violence, urged residents not to get affected by the political discourse. As one enters Asansol, a huge hoarding introduces it as a city of brotherhood. Residents want the old bonhomie back in the city’s social fabric.