Communal harmony blooms amid unrest

Chennai: Amid all the violent communal strife rocking Coimbatore the past couple of days, here is a heart-warming story that’s surely an example to inspire.

The influential ‘Masjithul Huda’ moque at Saramedu in Karumbukadai of Coimbatore has mourned the death of an octogenarian Brahmin, who passed away a couple of days back at his house in the neighbourhood and even announced on its notice board the details of his last rites.

So what was special about this old Brahmin? Ramu Aiyar of Kerala had migrated to Coimbatore in 1982 and landed at Saramedu in Karumbukadai, where he started an iron scrap business that’s dominated by the Muslims of that area.

The affable Brahmin soon developed close friendship with several Muslims in the neighbourhood.

"He would participate in all the events held in the Muslim homes while inviting the Muslims to the functions at his house. In course of time, he was even made an 'unofficial' member of the jamath. He was a role model for communal amity and we feel very sad at his demise", said mosque trustee Abdul Hakeem. "Normally, we do not announce demise of a non-Muslim on our notice board but in Aiyar's case, we felt he was one of us", he added. "Aiyar never showed any communal or caste discrimination, while providing liberal healthcare and educational support to the deserved under-privileged", said Galeel, a friend of Aiyar. 

Aiyar expressed sorrow at the communal tension in Coimbatore. "These events upset him badly as he had set an example for many of our youth by practising pure secularism, showing how the Muslims and Hindus can live together in harmony", said Libu, a resident of Kovaipudur. Aiyar’s house was filled with mourning Muslims.