Spanning from Richard Gere’s kiss on Shilpa Shetty’s cheek to slaughter of tubercular bull Shambu in Wales, the temple city has always been quick to protest against burning public issues.
On Tuesday, a group of youngsters, however, protested against violence against north Indians in Mumbai, not with force but flowers.
Taking cue from Lagey Raho Munnabhai’s “Gandhigiri”, volunteers from Vande Mataram Sangharsh Samiti (VMSS) — a social organisation — welcomed Marathi pilgrims to the city with garlands. Led by VMSS convenor Anup Jaiswal — also a BJP leader — the young volunteers reached Varanasi railway station early on Tuesday, to welcome Marathi tourists.
As the Varanasi Ratnagiri Express entered the Lok Manya Tilak Terminal at 9.15 am, Jaiswal alongwith other volunteers, started looking for Marathi passengers in the train, just like MNS supporters had done in Mumbai local trains. Once the Marathi pilgrims were identified, they were welcomed with hugs and garlands. The beaming Marathis, including a 35-strong group led by Damodar Gokhale and Sudesh Gaikawad or even the aged couple from Mumbai — Vinayak and Rukmini Patil — were truly surprised.
“When the youths entered the train we thought we are in for some real trouble. But the warm hugs and floral welcome has re-endorsed our belief that not only Kashi, but its people are also truly amiable,” the Patils said. Enthused by the unexpected welcome, the Marathi travellers joined VMSS youths in raising slogans like “Raj to apna yar hai, abhi to voh bimar hai and Raj se apni yari hai, pathar par phool bhari hai”. “We do not believe in violence, but will tackle Raj Thackarey’s nonsense with flowers,” Jaiswal said.
Riverine localities of Varanasi, including Durga Ghat, Shitla Ghat, Ram Ghat, Brahmha Ghat, Panchganga Ghat and Assi Ghat house nearly 900 Marathi-speaking families. “Varanasi for us is just like Maharashtra and gestures like these will certainly give a befitting reply to Raj Thackarey’s goons in Mumbai,” said Sadhna Vedanti, BJP municipal corporator from Rajmandir area.
Probably the only Marathi-speaking public representative of Varanasi, Vedanti added, “The Marathi-speaking Banarasis feel more safe in Varanasi than in Mumbai.”
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