What I’m referred to as can confuse lots of people and never simply kanwariyas
The principal of a well-known college in Darjeeling was in a state of consternation. The purpose was the anticipated arrival of a visitor, a journalist who was to do a function on the college that was celebrating its a hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
This was lengthy earlier than the arrival of electronic mail, and the reason for the principal’s disquiet was a telegram he’d acquired giving the identify of his customer.
What type of identify is that this? he requested his household. The first identify appears to be like as if it could possibly be a misspelling of Jack, by which case he is likely to be Christian, however the final identify sounds Muslim, he mulled.
Ascertaining the spiritual id, would decide what to supply by the use of refreshment with out transgressing dietary taboos.
His quandary was resolved after I turned up. Would I like a cup of tea, or espresso, or maybe one thing just a little, er, stronger? my host enquired. Tired after my journey from Calcutta, I indicated that one thing just a little, er, stronger, wouldn’t be amiss. Over a convivial glass of one thing just a little, er, stronger, the principal recounted the perplexity which the enigma of my identify had occasioned.
I recall that incident of many years in the past in mild of the proposal, stayed by SC, by UP and MP requiring that alongside the route the kanwariya pilgrims take, all eateries should show the names of their homeowners and employees.
The ostensible purpose was that this could preclude the opportunity of the pilgrims being uncovered to ritual air pollution attributable to consuming cross-community meals. However, the true purpose appeared to be an financial boycott of Muslims in our supposedly secular society.
It would possibly quickly be mooted that not simply eateries however all companies should show their possession. And why cease there? What about non-public residences? Will houses should haven’t simply regular nameplates however ones that unambiguously spell out the group the occupant belongs to?
In which case, like that principal of way back, my identify would possibly discomfit any passerby, kanwariya or different, scared of being ritually polluted.
Maybe as an alternative of a nameplate, a warning discover is likely to be greatest: BEWARE OF JUG!
Disclaimer
This article is meant to carry a smile to your face. Any connection to occasions and characters in actual life is coincidental.
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