Even as the nation sees increasing instances of communal discord, Viman Nagar (VN) in Pune presents a picture of communal harmony. The narrow and crowded streets of Sanjay Park in VN have become the epitome of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. There is a palpable sense of unity among the residents here. Houses of Muslim residents painted in green and black are seen next to houses of Hindus painted in saffron and red. The most iconic structures in Sanjay Park happen to be the Madina masjid (mosque) a few metres away from the Mhasoba mandir (temple). As evening approaches and the muezzin (priest) calls out for the azaan (prayers), Muslims from the neighbourhood arrive at the mosque. A hushed silence descends on the area as the devout gather to pray. Even the children playing in the streets signal to each other to maintain silence. It is April, the month of Ramzaan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and then break their fast after sundown. This meal is the iftar. Outside the masjid, hawkers sell fruits and snacks like samosas and kachoris to those breaking their fast. Next to the masjid an old Hindu woman is selling vada-paav from a small stall. “I have been running this stall for three years now. I’m the only one selling vada-paav in this area. For iftar, people buy vada-paav from here. After all, who doesn’t eat vada-paav?” she asks. In Sanjay Park it is perfectly common place to see a woman in a hijab buying watermelons from Parvati Stores, or a woman in a saree, wearing a bindi and bangles, buying chicken from Islam Chicken. Food, they say, is the big unifier. Sahil Hotel on Mohammad Ali Chowk is a popular eatery in the area. Their kebabs are a sell out and their customers are from both communities. A middle-aged man informed, community iftars are common here, where food is served to all, irrespective of religion or attire. ‘Noor Manzil’, a house painted in white and green, stands opposite a house painted in red and beige named ‘Anuja Kamal Smriti’. On a balcony of a house above a shop named ‘Hamid Couture’ one can see a flower pot with a swastika painted on it. The essence of Sanjay Park’s conspicuous communal harmony and peaceful co-existence is the presence of the Madina masjid and the Shree Mhasoba temple barely a few yards from each other. On the street outside the masjid and the temple, children of both communities indulge in cycle races and ball games. A short distance away, three girls help each other pull down the heavy shutter and lock up a shop for the day. One of them wears a hijab, another is dressed in salwar-kurta and the third one has a bright red bindi on her fore-head. As evening falls, one can hear the muezzin’s call for azaan. Soon people will gather for iftar. Another day will end peacefully in Sanjay Park.
10 Feb 2022
Rupashree Ravi
