Conflict between Muslims and Hindus # 18

18

Congregational chanting, known as kirtana and diligently practiced inside temples in an atmosphere of contemplation and sheltered from unbelievers, gradually became a street phenomenon called sankirtana. Every day, dozens of people participate in these gatherings and walk from street to street, singing hymns to the glory of God. The new movement has grown in scale, and at all hours of the day and night, the sound of cymbals and drums can be heard. Moving to a dance step, with arms raised as if to receive the graces of heaven, the followers sing "Hari, Hari!", their eyes misty with tears. Elsewhere, a monotonous anthem fills the nocturnal silence: a solitary devotee chants it for hours before an image lit by a candle.

This contagious bliss reached more and more of the population. The conformists, the Muslims, the idolaters, the atheists—finally, all those who did not understand the meaning of these noisy exhibitions and did not share their enthusiasm—went to complain to the city governor, the Kazi. Overwhelmed by a flood of complaints and wanting to protect the interests of his community, being a Muslim himself, the Kazi decided to take action.

One evening, wanting to see for himself the demonstrations that were disturbing his subjects, he entered a home where one of them was taking place. When he saw the enthusiasm of the members participating in the celebration, he approached the person holding the mridanga (a terracotta drum), snatched it from his hands, and shattered it with a crash by throwing it to the ground. A heavy silence followed. It was torn apart by the Kazi's words of discontent: "What earns us such zeal when for years you had given up your religious practices?"

It should be remembered that the Muslim regime controlled India at that time and that Hindu traditions were suppressed to the point that religious rituals became rare and tended to disappear.

The Kazi continued in an angry tone: "Where does this infatuation for your ceremonies come from? I demand that you cease these practices in the future! For this once, I will overlook it, but I do not want to hear you making such a ruckus anymore! If I ever catch anyone disobeying my order, not only will I confiscate all his property, but I will punish him by converting him to Islam..."

In those days, it was easy to change an individual's religious belief, for it was enough for a Muslim to sprinkle a Hindu with water for the latter to be forced to renounce his faith and caste and embrace Islam. Rendered impure, social prejudices imposed this choice upon him. Such were the social constraints of the time.

The Kazi's admonitions threw consternation into the entire Vaishnava community, which shared its concerns and grievances with Nimai. When he heard the account of this affront toward his devotees, he flew into a terrible rage: "What right does he have to do this? This very day, I will face those who oppose our kirtana! Prepare your musical instruments and let all the Vaishnavas go out into the street! We are going to show the Kazi what we are capable of."

_____________________

*Honorary title designating the governor of the city.
** Not so long ago, during the partition of India, these practices were common; powerless Hindus were forced to put beef in their mouths, leaving them no chance for reform or reintegration. This is how the authorities of Caitanya's time, according to an abusive social system, converted a large part of the population to their traditions.

Preceding chapter : Would Srivas Be Afraid? # 17