Mansooruddin Faridi  

"This is our culture, the Ganga-Jamni culture; our culture nurtures our brotherhood. So it is no big deal for me to take care of a mosque or clean it. For me, it is just a service. I have inherited this responsibility from my grandfather and it will surely continue after I am gone."

This is how a Panditji, the custodian of a 150-year-old mosque in Benaras, sees himself in the role that only projects the inclusive lifestyle of the people of India.

He does this as a way to achieve peace of mind and to foster harmony between different communities. Bichan Baba's dedication to the mosque has become a symbol of interfaith respect and unity, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and coexistence.

His selfless service has been widely appreciated and serves as an inspiring example of how people can bridge religious divides through simple, everyday acts of kindness.

The mosque is known as Anar Mosque and is located close to the Ghat of the River Ganga, the most ancient city in the world and holy to Hindus for its spiritual and scholarly attributes.

To see Panditji sweep the floors of the mosque and undertake its repairs is a scene of devotion. He has taken responsibility for everything associated with the maintenance and preservation of the Anar Masjid and has been doing it for 50 years.

Bichan Baba sweeping the floor of the mosque

Chokhamba is a famous area of ​​the old city of Banaras which got its name from the 14th-15th century Chaurasi Khamba Masjid (Mosque with 84 columns) which once housed the tombs of Tara Shah Baba, Meera Shah Baba, Anar Shaheed Baba and Chokhamba Baba.

Conditions changed with the partition of India. Over the years, the mosque that gave the name to this neighborhood also vanished on the soil and in the pages of history. However, the Anar mosque remained safe and a Hindu family started taking good care of the place and maintained its sanctity throughout.

Bichan Baba is the second-generation custodian of this mosque.

After passing through the narrow streets near the beautiful Ghats of the Ganga in Banaras, as you approach this mosque, at its main gate stands a dervish-looking Pandit Ji. Tall wearing a flowing white beard, slim body told me the story in his strong voice.

Talking to Awaz The Voice on the phone, Bechan Baba says, "We have our principles, values, civilization, and history of living together, no one has been able to break this unity. Whatever I am doing is a model of our culture, which we are forgetting, it's our culture, which we know as Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb. So forget politics, our civilization nurtures our brotherhood. I don't care if I look after a mosque or clean. For me, it's just service. It is a responsibility that I got from my father and it will continue after me."

he adds: " I am not concerned with what is happening in Gyan Vapi Masjid. I don't know anything about politics. I know that as long as I am alive, I will guard this mosque and after me my son will assume this responsibility."

Bichan Baba and the comopound of the mosque

Bichan Baba also told how there came a time when violence could have erupted around the mosque but his father intervened and chased away the miscreants.

Talking to Awaz-The Voice, Bechan Yadav said that whatever "I am doing, it is a routine for me; a part of my life. This work is good, that's why my name is good. Being taken in style, the people narrate my story to others but to me, this life is just normal, with brotherhood, love, and mixed civilization."

Bichan Baba, 72, has dedicated his life to the service of this ancient mosque. which represents a sense of unity in a city embroiled in religious conflict. Due to his presence and efforts since 2001, the Imam of Chokhamba Masjid, Maulana Dilu Rehman, has been leading Friday prayers and Eid prayers in this shrine.

ALSO READ: Prevention of crimes against women needs a holistic approach

Bichan Baba has five sons and all of them are employed. "There is no obstacle for me from the children. They are happy with my work and my service because they know that their grandfather used to do the same. Now I am confident that it will continue after me because my younger brother's son, who is 20 years old, will continue this legacy. I feel I am very lucky."