‘People have matured since the early ’80s’

MUMBAI: The bylanes of Bhendi Bazaar present a picture of harmony in times of strife. Three Hindu tenants of the Phool Galli Masjid have installed Ganesh idols in their kholis abutting the mosque.
“Our Muslim neighbours even take turns to guard the idol at night,’’ says Mohan Radhakrishna, a cane basket weaver.
Further north, Dongri boasts around eight Sarvajanik Mandals.“A Muslim family has donated the trolley on which a tall Ganapati is perched,’’ says senior police inspector R.R. Naik.
“People have definitely matured from the days in the early ‘80s when Ganapati processions passing through minority-dominated areas were booed and pelted,’’ notes a senior police officer.Concerted efforts of the police, social workers and mohalla commitees have helped patch things up.
“From Byculla to Chowpatty, Ganapati processions are now greeted by stalls set up by Muslim volunteers offering water, sharbat and firstaid,’’ says DCP Himanshu Roy.
Volunteers of Aman committee, Kaniza Fatima Trust, Shantata Committee and Nirbhay Bano even accompany the processions through the so-called ‘trouble’ areas. Saifee Ambulance Trust has its vehicles parked at Chowpatty to ferry the injured.