Hindus, Jains contribute to poor labourers’ Haj trip

HUBBALLI: Two villages in Dharwad district have set a shining example for communal harmony in these increasingly fractious times. Haiyatsab Hajresab Sunkad, 63, of Bujaruk Taralaghatta and Haidarsab Balanavar, 65, of Bujaruk Koppa are landless farm labourers, who have always dreamt of undertaking the Haj – the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Sunkad and Balanavar are devout Muslims and respected by people belonging to other communities, with whom they have always existed in harmony.Both of them had expressed their desire to visit Mecca to the people of their respective villages. While people of Bujaruk Taralaghatta came together to ensure that Sunkad’s dream of going to Mecca came to fruition, villagers of Bujaruk Koppa united to send Balanavar on the holy voyage.
People cutting across different faiths – Hindus, Jains, Muslims et al – contributed money to help the two poor farmers realize their dream. A former member of the Kundgol Land Tribunal, Muktumsab I Hulgur told TOI that Sunkad and Balanavar were treated like family members by the people of their respective villages.
“They share excellent relations with people from other communities. However, they are disciples of Allah. In fact, they have told the people that they will pray for the welfare of all mankind when they go to Mecca and Madina,” he added.
Pointing out that undertaking the Haj cost Rs 90,000 per person, Hulgur added, “Hazarat Ali Jodamani, a businessman, came forward and gave each of them Rs 50,000. The villagers contributed the rest.”
Vice-president of the Kundgol Taluk Jain Samaj, Chandragouda Patil said that Balanavar was the first individual from Koppa village to undertake the Haj voyage. “People of Koppa village have always looked at all human beings in the same light. The many religions represent different methods to make life meaningful. Depending on each individual’s capacity, people from Jain, Lingayat and dalit communities contributed to help Balanavar. We feel that we too will be blessed by God,” he said.
Sunkad was helped in his endeavour by people of other villages as well. Muttanna Jadimath, a gram panchayat member in Saunshi, said, “Sunkad is a strong-willed individual. Although he is a farm labourer, he was determined to go to Mecca. Sunkad believes in the Sanskrit proverb, “Sarvejana Sukhino Bhavanthu (May all of mankind be happy).”
Rayanagouda Patil of Katti village too reaffirmed the syncretic culture prevalent in Kundgol taluk. “At Taralaghatta and Katti, Hindus participate in the festivities of Muslims, and vice versa. There is no discrimination along the lines of caste and religion. Although a few vested interests attempted to brainwash the younger generation, we managed to ward them off,” Patil said.
Sunkad and Balanavar began the first leg of their pilgrimage, when they boarded a train at Savanur railway station that will take them to Bengaluru on Wednesday.