City celebrates Diwali today

Hindu Festival of Lights seen as chance to improve interfaith harmony.

LAHORE: Citizens of all faiths should join Hindus in celebrating Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, from today to reaffirm Lahore’s proud heritage as a tolerant and cosmopolitan city, said Hindu leaders and a prominent historian.

“The uniqueness of Diwali is in its plurality,” said Monohar Chand, a Hindu community leader. “Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and Muslims still get together to celebrate Diwali.”

Chand said last year’s event was unique because so many religious holidays were celebrated on the same day. This year’s event should serve as a reminder that “we should all treat each other as we would want others to treat us,” he said. There are some 200 Hindu families left in Lahore, though the city has a long association with the religion. It is said to be founded by Lava, the son of Lord Rama, the Hindu god. And a significant proportion of the city’s population was Hindu at the time of Partition, said historian Dr Mubarak Ali.

“In the past, Hindus and Muslims would both participate in Diwali celebrations. It showed the city’s vast tolerance because when you participate in others’ religious functions you show tolerance,” said Dr Ali. He said that Pakistani Hindus had been treated poorly since Partition. “The situation in Lahore is that society has made them invisible. We have basically wiped out the Hindu history of this city,” he said.

But Chand was optimistic that Diwali could still inspire the city. “Forgiveness is an important aspect of Diwali,” he said. “Remember, love can only grow through love, and hate can only grow through hate.”

This year’s main worship event will be held at Krishna Temple near Ravi Road. Chand said the government had provided all the services needed to make the event a success. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has organised a langar and gift packets for the participants, he added.

A Hindu citizen said that the temple had been provided with adequate security in past events and it seemed secure for this Diwali. He said Diwali was a time for celebration and colour. The celebration marked the New Year so people gave themselves presents for the upcoming year. He said that he had seen many Muslims also participate in some Diwali traditions.

A Muslim citizen said more people should celebrate Diwali. “It is part of Lahore’s heritage to promote religious equality. I have been to a Diwali celebration. It is open to people of all faiths and reminded me of the old stories in which Lahore was a cosmopolitan city,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2010.