SHAMLI: Forty-two-year-old Wakil Malik from Shamli's Bhainswal village is all set to bring holy water from Haridwar on foot for the sixth time in his life during the kanwar yatra this year. "I took permission from the district authorities for the yatra as I could have faced opposition under the prevailing atmosphere," he told TOI on Thursday.
He added, "I am equally devoted to Islam and regularly attend jamats. However, my purpose behind bringing the kanwar is to prove that god is one and we are the ones who create differences."
'I faced mild opposition for bringing kanwar'
If my message even reaches one person, my purpose will be fulfilled," Malik said.
Malik has been a part of the yatra five times so far. This will be the last time he partakes, in accordance with his sankalp (resolution), he said. Every year, he offers holy water at the Pura Mahadev temple in Baghpat.
This time, however, was the first time that he sought permission from the Shamli district headquarters and the Gadipukhta police station. "In the initial years, I faced mild opposition for bringing kanwar, even from my family. People said I was 'betraying my religion'. However, they eventually understood my thought process. Now they are all supportive."
Asked about the permission sought, SHO Karamveer Singh said, "A Muslim man came to the police station on Thursday at around 11 am. He wanted to bring kanwar from Haridwar without any hindrance or opposition. Nobody protested or complained about him. Everyone's beliefs are different and we respect that."
