Gujarat Elections 2017 | Unava stands testimony to communal harmony

As the campaign wrapped up for the second and last phase of polls in Gujarat, Khadim of Mira Datar Saiiyed, Altafmiya spoke about the warmth that Muslims and local Patidars exchanged even today, notwithstanding the scars of 2002 post Godhra riots, which saw Muslims from Unjha deserting homes and settling here.

In the Prime Minister Narendra Modi versus Rahul Gandhi blitgkreig campaign Modi, Mandir and Mandal dominated the poll discourse in Gujarat, but the Muslim factor got pushed into the background in the one of most keenly contested elections.

But amid the polarised campaign in Gujarat, a shrine of Hazrat Sayyad Ali Mira Datar located in Unava, 80 km away from Ahmedabad, stands testimony of the communal harmony.

The shrine in a fort like structure near river Pushpavati, falls in Prime Minister Modi's hometown Mehsana. Modi's native village Vadnagar falls in Unjha constituency, of which Unava is a part.

The Muslim population in Unava is around 7,000, outnumbered by Hindus, who are 30,000 in number. They include Patidars, the OBCs, Thakors. Around 2,000 Muslims had migrated to Unava from areas like Patan, Mehsana, Unjha and Shivpur and their properties are still here.

"The influential Patidars living there have asked the Muslims to come back. After some time maybe," says Haaji Abdul Islam.

He discusses with gusto, the impact that the GST could make on poll results but insists there is no communal tension in the area now. "Our farms are close to each other. After 2002, there were no communal riots here. The Patels come to our rescue when we need to get some work done from the government. They are influential and helpful," says Fazoo Mian.

He also recalls that Gujarat Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel had represented the Unjha Assembly seat in 1985 and in 1990, had got a water tank constructed in the name of Datar Baba.

The community, though mostly inclined to vote for Congress, wants to move beyond 2002 riots, talking of its good relationship with neigbouring Hindus.

A youth Aftab says, "2002 riots is an old issue. Most of the doctors have their residences and clinics in Patidar areas. So if somebody from our family falls sick, we go there even at midnight

There are nine doors of pure silver including "Jannati Darwaja" to enter the dargah. It is believed that whoever is "possesed by evils, gets cured if he or she comes to dargah with devotion. It was due to his miraculous powers of healing that the honorific of Meera Datar was added to Sayyad Ali. The fortlike structure in which the dargah is located once had a flour grinding mill called 'Daadi Maa Ki Chakki", which was later removed and a gumbad was constructed in its place. Those who visit the shine believe that if anyone possessed of an evil spirit takes seven round of the gumbad, his evil spirit is gone. The devotees believe that a visit at the shrine can free oneself form black magic, unknown mysterious diseases, incurable physical and psychiatric problems.

In 2012, the state government, an NGO named Altruist and the trustees of the dargah had joined hands to help the mentally ill, who visit the shrine in hope of relief.

The faith healers at the dargah, who called themselves 'Mujawars' says they are descendants of Saiyad Ali.

Since Hindus also visit the shrines in large numbers, apart from 70 rooms for guests in dargah compound, there are four guest houses for Hindus and specially for Jain Hindus.

In Unjha, BJP has fielded octogenarian Narayanbhai Lalludas Patel, who has won the seat consecutively for last five term while Congress has fielded Ashaben Patel.

As the contest promises to be a keen one this time with Patidars inclined towards Congress, both Muslims and Patels, who in 2002 were on the cross roads, seems standing together as far as their political preferences are concerned.

"Patels are always with BJP. But Modi government has implemented GST. After that there is some anger against the government among Patidar businessmen. Let us see what happens this time," says Fazoo Mian.