Hindus, Muslims pray at Varanasi for harmony

VARANASI - Hindus and Muslims joined hands here Thursday to pray for peace on the same Ganga ghat where a terror attack only two days ago killed a toddler and wounded over 30 people.

A few foreigners lent strength to the solemn gathering, which held candles and earthern lamps at the Sheetla Ghat.

The crowd included saffron-clad sadhus and Muslims donning skull caps.

“Terrorism is not a problem confined to a state or country. It is a global problem,” Pradeep Kumar, owner of a garment shop in Chetganj area, told reporters later.

“I believe the special prayer from various religions would give a strong message to terrorists that we will continue to stand united,” he added.

Shankar Chaturvedi, a resident of Varanasi, said: “Gatherings like this are a slap on the face of communal forces that try to create rifts between Hindus and Muslims.

“If we continue to remain united this way, terrorists and anti-national forces will never succeed in their intention of dividing us.”

Thursday’s meeting was called by NGOs and people from different religions in a bid to spread the message of peace.

The gathering also paid homage to Swastika Sharma, the young girl who died when a bomb hidden in the steps leading to the Ganga went off Tuesday evening during the ‘maha aarti’.

The injured included a few foreigners. The so-called Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, saying it was to protest against the “injustice” done to the Muslim community.