Muslim man leads Ram Navami procession for 45th time in Jharkhand's Ramgarh

RAMGARH: A Muslim family at Sukairgarha village under the Chitarpur block of the district has set the standards of maintaining peace and communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims since the 60s. The head of the Muslim family, 78-year-old Manjoor Khan got the permit for the 45th time this year to take out a Ram Navami procession which he and his father, Ismail Khan, had been doing since 1966.When Ismail passed away in 1978, Manjoor has been carrying out his father's role. Hindu families in Lari and Sukarigarha villages, who held Khan in high regard, helped him in getting the permit from the administration.
When TOI visited his home, one kilometre away from the Ramgarh-Bokaro stretch of the National Highway-320 around noon on Thursday, Manjoor, who was a former sarpanch, was busy preparing to lead the Ram Navami procession.
He also displayed a few permits given by the administration to lead Durga Puja and Ram Navami processions in the past.
Manjoor was an intermediate and he said he has been taking part in the processions led by his father right from his childhood.
"Our family respects all religions, be it Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism or Christianity," Manjoor said, adding, "After my father's passing in 1978, the villagers asked me to continue with my father's legacy."
Apart from leading the procession, Manjoor also has the responsibility to maintain peace and harmony both during and after the celebrations.
The officer-in-charge of Rajrappa police station, Hari Nandan Singh, said the permit to lead the Ram Navami has been issued to Manjoor this year, too, following his application.
Later, Manjoor, clad in a white traditional dhoti and kurta, led the procession with the villagers of Lari and Sukarigarha, who armed themselves with traditional weapons like kathie, bhalai and swords, shouting religious slogans.
Responding to a query, Manjoor said he has full support from both Hindus and Muslims.
A father of five sons, Manjoor, said he is getting old and wants to pass on his responsibility to another villager as none of his sons has no interest to bear his role.
Saraswati Devi, the mukhiya of Lari panchayat, said people of her panchayat felt proud to have Manjoor who with a big heart is spreading messages of peace and communal harmony.
"We wish that Manjoor continues to lead the procession," she said.
Manoj Jha, a villager and teacher at the Chitarpur College said Manjoor is a respectable person and "we want him to continue to lead the procession as long as his health permits.