A Gesture Of Hope

A Gesture Of Hope

5 mins
17.1K


The shadow of demon was observed in the people deeds on final day of Durgotsava at Dulhagori village in West Bengal last year, when communal riot raged between the two unlike communities.

That day in Bada Bazaar, the Hindu congregation has begun the event of giving farewell and submerging the idol of Goddess Durga. The pandals were put in places in the market. The sweet and bajjiyas shop were ready for eateries. They moved towards the holy river and passed the mosque Haji para. The group crossed the path where another group of Shia muslims performing the painful bloodletting ritual of Muharram in mourning death of prophet Muhammad grandsons.

The peoples from the Hindu group requested the other group to free the roads to let them go towards the river. One of the Muslim devotee steps into their group and started whipping his body with chain and knives. The Hindu group realise that unsuitable and one of them pushed that Muslim devotee out of their way. In next couple of minutes the situation break down between the communal groups and they started throwing stones and beating with rods and chains. In the middle of rivalry, few of the people were seriously injured and one Muslim boy was killed.

In next hour, The police has reached the market to hold the situation and they shot the tear gas to stop people of both the groups. Besides, the media also arrived to cover the news of emerging conflict.

Next day, there was a devastated situation at the Dulhagori village. The streets were off. The shops were closed. The police put down the barracks on the entry and exits of road in the market. The stones were spread on the path. The burnt vehicles seen on side of the passage. Only a few people spotted in the market.

An old man steadily walked into the Bada Bazaar. He was wearing a white kurta that was wrinkled with dirt spots. He took a hurried look with his gazing eyes shield with thick lenses and identify the place where he had seen his son lying with blood all over his clothes and his face was brutally damaged and killed. While he was looking for the whereabouts of his sons an echo of the incident registered on his mind, In an instant he become unconscious and fell down on the road.

One lady with his son passing from the market saw that old man on the road. she haste and arrive to help and try to make him conscious. She looked for the aid from another person. They struggled to get him to the place and after a few hitches they finally reached to the lady house which is just behind the market.

The old man lied on the sofa in the room. The lady brings some water to make the old man conscious. The old man get some sense and adjust his lenses and glance at room and the sofa where he sits. He see on his left that lady sitting on the chair. He saw the boy sitting next to the lady. He wide his eyes and struggled to say something to that boy. Then after few seconds, He said, Iftikar with a little smile on his face.

The boy was afraid of old man and held his mothers hand tightly and hide his face behind her sari veil. The lady gently caressing his sons hair. She said in bangla, Ki halō, Cācā Ki ( What happened, He is like your uncle).

The old man was in deep thought and looking at the floor. The lady asked, Are you all right sir? Do you want to have some tea or coffee?

He did not replied anything and again looked at the boy very ardent. The lady said, I will be coming back in some time, you please make yourself comfortable.

Few mins later, She came with a cup of tea and offered to the old man. The old man kept the cup in his hand. His body was shivering and crackling sound coming out of cup tapping the plate. He took a sip of tea and again looking at the floor.

The lady watching the old man, drinking the tea. She asked, where do you live sir? She continued, Is Iftikar is your son? The lady waiting for some response from him.

At the same time, the news was coming on the television about the previous day incident. "In a riot break out yesterday between the communities, 2 men and one women were severely injured and one young muslim was killed. He was identified with name 'Iftikar' from the Dulhagori village…"

The cup slip out of old man hands and strikes the floor and crumbled. The lady gets up and says, "Please be careful sir".

Iftikar, He was gone. Today morning I have buried him with my own hands. What was his mistake. He never harmed anyone. Without any reason they killed him, said the old man in painful voice.

The lady sits next to old man, held her hand and comfort him. she said, I understand sir and feel pity that you had lost your son. Please control yourself and trust the god.

I have something to give that belongs to you Sir. She went inside and back in a moment. She called her son and said, Tākē dāo (Give him the amulet).

The boy handed the amulet with his both hands. He looked at the old man in innocence. Then he gave an amulet and bestow an adorable smile to him.

The old man tightly held the amulet in his fist. He wiped out his tears. He contemplate that boy for few seconds then he kept his hand to boy's head and give him the blessings.

"God bless you always", Iftikar.


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