Muslims serve Shiva devotees in temple town

A group of 10 people, mostly Muslims including two doctors, silently attends to 150-200 kanwarias in pain and provides them medicines every Shravan Monday in Varanasi.

The devotees in saffron robes throng the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from different places during the auspicious month, particularly on Mondays. Some of them develop blisters on their feet due to long walk and some others face fatigue and other problems.

Dr Gufran Javed, who holds a BUMS degree, leads the group comprising Dr Shahid, Naeem Khan and others.

“Five years ago, I happened to pass by Godaulia in the month of Shravan. Then I came across a few kanwarias with blisters in their feet. They were sitting along the road. They needed medical assistance,” Gufran told HT.

He said that day he decided to set up a medical camp for the kanwarias. He went to his house in Ramapura and discussed his idea with his acquaintances including Dr Shahid, Naeem Khan, Hafiz Fareed Alam, Haji Dawood, and Hafiz Altab Barkati. They lauded the idea and asked him to go ahead with his noble plan. They also assured him their support. Since then, the group sets up the camp on every Shravan Monday without fail.

The group members also pool money to arrange medicines and ointments for the ailing Shiva devotees. The camp functions from morning to late in the afternoon. Dr Sanjay Triguna, Dr RN Srivastava and Dr Nirbhay also treat the kanwarias.

Hafiz Fareed Alam, a member of the group, said everyone should extend support to such a noble act. Locals assist him in the cause. Dr Iftikar Ahmad Javed, member Central Haj Committee, also visited the camp on Monday and examined a few kanwarias. He lauded the team of doctors and the locals for providing medical assistance to the devotees.