A Tradition of Unity: Hindu Family’s Sacred Duty to Wake Muslims for Sehri During Ramzan in Azamgarh

In the small village of Kauriya in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, the holy month of Ramzan is not only a time of fasting and devotion for Muslims but also a testament to interfaith camaraderie. For over five decades, the Hindu family of Gulab Yadav has played a pivotal role in ensuring that their Muslim neighbors wake up on time for Sehri, the pre-dawn meal before the day-long fast.

Each night during Ramzan, 45-year-old Gulab Yadav and his 12-year-old son Abhishek sacrifice their own sleep. At 1 a.m., the father-son duo sets out on foot, equipped with a torch and a stick to guard against stray dogs, and walks through the village to visit every Muslim household. They don’t leave until they are sure that every family is awake to partake in Sehri.

The tradition, started by Yadav’s father, Chirkit Yadav, in 1975, has become a deeply ingrained custom in the village. “Foster such friendships that religion never becomes a barrier,” is an old saying that perfectly encapsulates Yadav’s actions. He carries forward his father’s legacy, ensuring that religious differences do not hinder the bond between communities.

Traditionally, mosques would use loudspeakers to announce the time for Sehri, but recent Supreme Court rulings on noise pollution have curtailed their use. As a result, Yadav’s late-night efforts have become even more crucial in the village.

Reflecting on his childhood, Yadav admitted that he didn’t fully understand his father’s nightly ritual, but as he grew older, the significance of the custom became clear. “Now I find great peace in doing this,” he said. A daily-wage laborer who works in Delhi for most of the year, Yadav returns home during Ramzan to continue the family tradition.

Yadav is committed to passing this legacy onto his son, just as it was passed down to him. “I want my son to continue this after me,” he said, echoing his father’s words. After his father’s passing, Yadav took over the responsibility, and even after his elder brother was unable to continue due to deteriorating eyesight, Yadav ensured the tradition was maintained.

His efforts have earned him the respect and admiration of his Muslim neighbors. Shafiq, a local resident, remarked, “Waking people up for Sehri is a noble deed. Gulab bhai makes sure that no one is left behind. He spends two hours making rounds through the village, and then he goes around once again to double-check that everyone has eaten. What could be more sacred than this?”

Shafiq aptly summarized Yadav’s role by quoting a couplet: “When both Gita and Quran preach love, why should there be discord between Hindus and Muslims?” Yadav’s dedication has become a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, especially at a time when restrictions on loudspeakers have altered the way Sehri is traditionally announced.

In a world where interfaith tensions are often highlighted, Yadav’s consistent efforts underscore the power of simple, yet profound gestures of kindness. His commitment to ensuring that his Muslim neighbors observe Ramzan with dignity serves as a living example of community unity and mutual respect, a lesson that transcends generations.