People's Democracy

IF it was Bamiyan Budha statues which came under attack from the Taliban, their siblings in Gujarat, Narendra Modi's saffron goons, have chosen India's invaluable composite cultural heritage for attack. Within a day of the Godhra outrage, the VHP mobs demolished the tomb of Wali Gujarati which was an important cultural landmark of the country. Wali is acknowledged, almost universally by all, as the founder of the modern Urdu poem. He died in Ahmedabad in 1707, on one of his numerous visits, and the people of Gujarat built a tomb for him in Ahmedabad. They proudly laid claim to his legacy by bestowing upon him the title of Wali Gujarati.

Early this month, another outrage on the nation's cultural heritage occurred when the saffron goondas attacked the tomb of Ustad Faiyaz Khan in Baroda. Extensive damage has been inflicted on the façade of the structure commemorating the man who, in 1912, was declared by the erstwhile ruling dynasty of Baroda as "the greatest singer in the realm".

Many prominent musicians, musical trusts, artists came together under the aegis of the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) on April 12, to condemn the "Narendra Modi government's crimes against the common heritage of humanity". Bisham Sahani, renowned and well-loved writer, author of the well-known Tamas , eminent and popular singer Shubha Mudgal, artists Malthi Gilani, Shamsher Ali, Sudheer, Wasifuddin Dagar, were among those who raised their voice in protest against this "desecration of our culture" as Bishim Sahani said with anger. All roundly condemned those attacking these monuments as "the enemies of the nation and its composite culture".

"This attack on the tomb of Faiyaz Khan is frightening. The Ustad was not just a Muslim; he was an Indian. We have inherited a composite culture; Was Sai Baba or Kabir a Muslim or Hindu ? " asked an anguished Bhisham Sahani. Emphasising that the dark forces of communalism are trying to constrict Hinduism to their narrow view, he gave a call that this has to be resisted by all. He declared that the artists would stand by all those who are striving to safeguard secularism in the country.

Shubha Mudgal said the entire world music and art lovers are agitated and saddened over this attack on the tomb of Ustad Faiyaz Ali Khan, who was an inspiration to all music students. She saw hope in the fact of the all round condemnation of this desecration. Many messages from musical houses and renowned artists poured in condemning this desecration.

Ever since his martyrdom, Safdar's birthday, April 12, has been observed all over India as National Street Theatre Day. The protest against the vandalism in Gujarat very appropriately was held on this same day. A poster designed by well-known photographer Parthiv Shah, who had travelled to and given an eye-witness account of the carnage in Gujarat, was also released. SAHMAT. has announced that through its fund drive for helping the Gujarat riot victims, it has collected total of Rs 6 lakh which is being sent directly to the camps identified by the Committee For Peace.