This Navratri, Gujarat does a ‘tolerant’ rewrite: Muslim shrines in

How is this Navratri different from the one last year? Ask the Gujarat government. Eager to project a ‘secular’ face, officials ar...

How is this Navratri different from the one last year? Ask the Gujarat government. Eager to project a ‘secular’ face, officials are racing against time to showcase Muslim shrines — or, what’s left of them after the Gujarat riots — as part of the Vibrant Gujarat 2004 fete this Navratri.

The sudden awakening, however, has caught many here on the wrong foot. Such is the hurry that some of the more important shrines—Siddi Sayed mosque, Shah Alam and Sarkhej Rozas—have not made it to the event brochures though they have been included in the Spiritual Tourism pavilion, which was inaugurated today.

Last year’s edition of the fete did highlight some minority groups, but the only image of Islam was a pavilion on the Khoja sect, set up by the Aga Khan Foundation.

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This time, officials say they’ve been asked to make all efforts to ‘‘make it look as secular and amicable as possible’’ and ensure ‘‘communal harmony is on display’’.

They are quick to add that special attention will be given to Parsi, Sikh and Christian shrines too.

‘‘Almost all of Gujarat’s religions have been portrayed in two levels in the pavilion, showing harmony and coexistence,’’ says R M Patel, managing director, Gujarat Agro-Industries Corp, which is organising the pavilion.

But the brochures don’t mention any Muslim shrines, though they highlight the Modhera Sun temple, Pavagadh, Lothal, Garudheshwar, SSP Dam, Dakor and Galteshwar. Some World Heritage sites, such as Champaner and the Lakhpat Gurudwara, are also there.

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Officials say they have been instructed to ensure that the minorities, especially Muslims, are represented, displayed and showcased prominently.

So, a separate enclosure for Islam showcases shrines such as the Juma Masjid of Junagadh, Mira Datar in Unava, Saraspur Na Roza, Shah Alam Roza, Sidi Sayeed Jali, Haji Pir, Pir Bhadiyad and Pirana.

Muslim leaders have welcomed this attempt, but regret the fact that the shrines are being remembered only when the government has become image-conscious.

Says Dr Shakeel Ahmed, secretary of the Islamic Relief Committee: ‘‘It is surprising to see that Islam is being displayed at the pavilion to show communal harmony. It is like adding insult to injury.’’

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At least 650 shrines or tombs were razed during the riots and the government, says Ahmed, is yet to frame a policy on having them reconstructed.

‘‘It’s unfortunate the state government wants to use the names of remaining shrines to show communal harmony.’’

And Shah Alam is more a reminder of the relief camp set up there for riot-hit Muslims than of communal harmony.