Guardian of Unity: The Story of Bechan Baba and the Anarwali Mosque
Subheading: A Hindu Caretaker’s Lifelong Dedication to a Sacred Muslim Site in Varanasi
In the heart of Varanasi, where the sacred Ganges meanders by and incense smoke mingles with the faint echoes of prayers from a myriad of temples, Bechan Baba sits at the entrance of the Anarwali mosque. The 72-year-old Hindu caretaker leans back on weathered stones laid almost 400 years ago. For more than four decades, Bechan has dedicated his working life to the service of this ancient mosque, a symbol of unity in a city often torn by historical disputes.
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“I’ve been here for 45 years, taking care of this mosque. People from both Hindu and Muslim communities come here, offering prayers and worship.”
says Bechan Baba
Varanasi has been tense recently due to a legal dispute between Hindus and Muslims over the ownership of the Gyanvapi mosque, a controversy reminiscent of the longstanding dispute over the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Amidst this backdrop, Bechan’s role gains even more significance. “I’ve been here for 45 years, taking care of this mosque. People from both Hindu and Muslim communities come here, offering prayers and worship,” he says. His commitment to the mosque and its visitors stands as a testament to peaceful coexistence.
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Bechan emphasizes the harmonious relationship between the Anarwali mosque and the nearby Gopal temple. “There is no environment of hate or anything like that. People from both the Hindu and Muslim communities come here, and there have never been any riots during my time,” he says. His wish is to serve the mosque until his death, finding comfort in its space. “I don’t go to my home. My children bring me food in the morning. I stay here throughout the day,” he says. The increased number of visitors to the mosque under Bechan’s care underscores its role as a powerful symbol of unity in a country often divided by religious tensions.
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