Bhendi Bazaar answers trunk call

MUMBAI: Amidst the dusty bustle of Bhendi Bazaar, strains of ‘Sukh Harta, Dukh Harta’ ring out as members of the Tarun Mitra Mandal perform the aarti in their Ganesha mandal.
But what will be news to those who nicknamed the place ‘Mini Pakistan’ is that the chorus has an equal number of Muslim and Hindu voices. Few know that in these much-maligned bylanes, such scenes are commonplace.
“It’s just another day in our lives when Hindus and Muslims share their joys and sorrows,’’ says Shohaib Pathan as he holds the lamp before the portly eight-feet ‘ Bhendi Bazaar ka Raja’ .The Hindus, in turn, join in the Id celebrations, liberally tucking into the iftaar phirni and kebabs.
Such “secular’’ gatherings save the Mumbai police their patrol.Moreover, residents say community protocol rarely need to be spelt out. “Humko rules maloom hain,’’ says Mandal organiser Kiran Pol as he asks one of the boys to shut off the pandal loudspeakers for the evening namaaz.
Both Hindu and Muslim families have contributed to collect the Rs 50,000 for the simple yet elegant pandal. Families of both the communities take turns to prepare the daily prasad.On Wednesday, Rehana Patel enthusiastically served modak, laddu and puranpoli.
“Interestingly, the pandal stands on the same plot of land which is used for the Tarabi namaaz during Ramzaan,’’ says Ibhrahim Tai of the Muslim Council of India. There are around seven Sarvajanik Mandals and about 150 small idols in Bhendi Bazaar alone. “Not all Muslims participate in the mandal pujas as idol worship is not allowed in Islam.They help out in other ways,’’Mr Tai adds.
A gathering of Hindus and Muslims performs aarti at the Tarun Mitra Mandal Sarvajanik Ganesh Pandal at Bhendi Bazaar on Wednesday.