'Hindus & Muslims Celebrate Each Other's Festivals, Model For Entire Nation' : Karnataka High Court Lauds Yadgir District's Harmony

In a recent order, the Karnataka High Court praised the communal harmony in Yadgir district, where there is a traditional practice of Hindus and Muslims celebrating each other's festivals.

Yadgir is in the border area of Karnataka and the erstwhile Hyderabad princely state. The Court noted that this district celebrates communal harmony with the participation of Hindus and Muslims in the festivals of each other's community. The institutions like Sharanabasaveshwar Temple, Khaja Bandanawaz Dargah, are examples of the communal harmony, which can be followed by the entire country, the Court observed.

In tune with the communal harmony, Muharram of the Muslim community is also observed by Hindus, where certain Hindu Deities are also worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus during the festival.

In Tumkur village in Vadagera Taluk of Yadgiri district, a Hindu Deity called Kashimalli is worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims during Muharram. A folk dance called 'Alai Bhosai Kunitha' is also held in front of the village temple. During this ceremony, Muslims as well as Hindus take part. The ceremony involves the beating of a percussion instrument called 'Halige', which is done by Madiga community, who are Dalits.

The Madiga community felt that they are being made to beat the 'Halige' instrument since they are Dalits. Hence, they objected to the beating of the drum, which led to clashes with upper caste Hindus. In this backdrop, they filed a representation to the authorities to ban public festivities including'Alai Bhosai Kunitha' during Muharrum. Later, they filed a writ petition seeking a consideration of their representation.

While deciding this writ petition filed by the Madiga community, Justice MI Arun made the observations regarding the communal harmony being followed in Yadgir district.

Yadgiri District, which is a part of Hyderabad- Karnataka area celebrates the communal harmony, which is generally found in Hyderabad-Karnataka area. This includes participation of both Hindus and Muslims in the festivals of each other community. The institutions like Sharanabasaveshwar Temple, Khaja Bandanawaz Dargah, are examples of the communal harmony, which can be followed by the entire country. In tune with the communal harmony, Muharram festival of the Muslim community is also celebrated by Hindus, wherein certain Hindu Deities are also worshipped by both Muslims and Hindus during the festival.

The Court also lamented that the festivals jointly being celebrated by Hindus and Muslims in the Yadgir district have led to clashes between upper caste Hindus and Dalits.

“It is unfortunate that a Muslim festival, which is being celebrated harmoniously by both Hindus and Muslims has resulted in communal clashes between upper caste Hindus and the Dalits.”

While the State must promote festivals which spread communal harmony, no community can be forced to take part in them, the Court noted.

“The State should promote festivities, which spreads the message of peace and communal harmony between several communities, but, however, when it is not possible, the decision is best left to the State authorities and in the present circumstances, the State authorities are required to decide whether the festivities are required to be gone ahead with or not.”

“A community has a right to celebrate a festival without provoking the other communities. However, a particular community cannot force another community to do an act, which they despise, only on the ground that it has been done traditionally by them,” the Court added.

Following this, it directed the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner as well as hear all the stakeholders in the festivities and thereafter take appropriate decisions in accordance with law.

It clarified, “It is needless to state that, if the festivities are gone ahead with, no one can compel the Madiga community to beat the halige (a type of percussion instrument) and it is the duty of the State to give adequate protection for the participants.”

“The salvation of the country lies in identifying human beings as a human being and as an Indian with the other identities playing a secondary role,” the Court observed.

Case : Madiga Dandora v. The State of Karnataka