Chennai’s answer to the intolerance debate: Religious communities come together in time of crisis

Chennai: While the rest of the country is still stuck on the intolerance debate, flood-ravaged Chennai has become a shining example of how a united society can effectively fight a catastrophe with joint rescue and relief operations. Rising above communal considerations people are helping each other.[caption id=“attachment_2538000” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Volunteers collect drugs and other items in Kochi on Saturday for Chennai flood victims. PTI[/caption] Mosques, temples and churches here have opened their gates for all, irrespective of people’s religious beliefs. While mosques are giving shelters to flood victims, actively participating in relief works and ensuring maximum availability for the victims, the temples and churches are distributing food, water, medicines, plastic sheets and other necessary things to the person in need. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind undertook cleaning debris from the Saidapet area, which has become highly prone to outburst of epidemic. It deployed over 100 volunteers to remove filth and disinfect the entire area. Two mosques, one temple and a complete street and its lanes were cleaned by them. Other Muslim organisations such as Tamil Muslim Munnetta Kazhakam (TMMK), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are also involved in flood relief work. Both Hindus and Muslims are distributing food at Parthasarthi temple in Triplicane where a large number of victims have taken shelter. Several Muslim families have taken shelters in different temples of the city. “It is a shining testimony to what a united society which rises above narrow interests of religion, caste or creed can achieve. This is the best riposte to those who trumpet partisan religious beliefs. This strengthens the argument that every religion, be it Islam, Christianity or Hinduism, professes a common ideal - service to mankind,” says Ramakrishnan Subramaniam, a local resident. This selfless service, says Rangaswami Krishnan, another resident, is leaving an everlasting legacy. “This rich heritage of us will last till eternity,” he adds. Murli Muniswamy urges “trouble makers not to destroy religious strictures as they may serve as shelter during such calamities”. Welcoming stranded Muslim and non-Muslims in the mosques, the caretaker of Kodambakkam mosque says, “It is our privilege that we are serving our brothers and sisters in need irrespective of their faiths. Around 50-70 kg rice is cooked everyday for distribution. Not only food and shelter, there is an arrangement of plenty of water, mats and clothes. At least 1,000 people eat here everyday.” Priests at Parthasarthi temple do not have any idea where food items, water bottles and clothes are coming from. “People from all walks of life have come forward to help each other,” said a priest adding that “the beneficiaries include Hindus and Muslims both”. Chennai is inundated with this century’s maximum rains. Same is true for many other parts of Tamil Nadu. Roads are cut off and forces are there for rescue efforts. Lakhs have lost their livelihood, belongings and homes. The death toll has gone up to 280.