A one-man peace brigade, ready to risk his life and limb when others are attacked, for Harkantbhai peace is an end in itself 

AHMEDABAD

Harkant  Natwarlal Patel

Born into a middle class Hindu family, Harkant Patel’s deeds are a thorn in the flesh of aggressive communal attitudes that govern Gujarat today. Born and brought up in Dariapur area of Ahmedabad, he has vivid memories of a colourful childhood, celebrating the co-existence of different communities. 

Dariapur, today a sensitive hotspot on Ahmedabad’s map has a substantial presence of both Hindus and Muslims. The vibrant colour of this locality is an intimate and happy part of Harkantbhai’s childhood and youth. What seared his memory forever is the burning alive of eight persons decades ago in act of retaliatory communal violence when he was in his teens.

In recent years, with the sharp growth in communal sentiments on both sides, Dariapur has also witnessed the outbreak of mindless hate-driven, violence. Each time, something inside Harkant compels him to step out, to intervene, to try and save a life. “Manavta ni bhet baap na aashirwaad che” (“Love for all of humanity is a gift from my parents”), he says humbly. 

‘This is all I have,” he adds. “Today, there is lawlessness and anarchy everywhere, topped with corruption and immoral public behaviour. These are the values that middle class society is today aspiring towards. I cannot be part of this. Careers are the choice of many people but I prefer being a servant of society. To serve humanity with all I have keeps me away from other temptations.”

For the past 18 years Harkantbhai has lived in the sensitive area of Dariapur, fondly recognised by many as a social worker. Many unfortunate incidents have taken place here, many innocent people have lost their lives. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Marathis every community lives and inhabits this area. He makes it a point to attend the festivities of each of the communities.

But it is when the senseless attacks and killings begin that Harkantbhai’s true worth comes to the fore. He receives missives from none less than the city’s commissioner of police, DCPs and ACPs, because they know that here is a man with access to all the social segments, be it Dalits, Muslims, Christians or caste Hindus.

August 24-25, 2001: Violence suddenly breaks out in Dariapur. Senior police officers, including the IG, MK Tandon and commissioner, section I, Shivanand Jha, summon him. There is high tension after Muslim youths are attacked by some Dalits belonging to the Waghari community. They have held A third Muslim youth captive. It is Harkantbhai who arrives on the trouble spot, goes straight to the Dalit quarters, speaks to them and manages to save the life of the youth held captive!

Does he not experience fear, when he attempts direct street action like this, when unreason seemingly guides all other actions? “Fear is like this, you can either get the better of the emotion or let it govern your lives,” he replies. “Manavta be khatir, aa tatva mahatva na che (“For the sake of humanity, some principles are important”).

His actions are so well known that even now in Ghatodia where he had to shift when his own building at Dariapur collapsed in the January earthquake, Muslim women repose total faith in him. “Aamhe amara chokra tamhrae bharose school ma mokaliye che” (“We send our children to your schools because of the faith we have in you”). 

They have felicitated me so many times, they show their appreciation in so many ways. “If I were to stand for an election from Dariapur, fifty per cent among the Muslims would vote for me. This is because of their experience of me year after year,” Harkantbhai proudly adds.

“The Dariapur vistaar is such that we have to live like this”, he believes. But the unusual thing about Harkantbhai’s interventions is that they are not restricted to the neighbourhood where he grew up. Ring up any one in the Shahpur locality when there is any hint of trouble and they say: if Harkantbhai comes, the problem will be solved. A one-man peace brigade, ready to risk his life and limb when others are attacked, for Harkantbhai “peace is an end in itself”. 

Why? Because he cannot bear to see the nirdosh/innocent victims who suffer after the motivated politicians begin the bloodletting. “I have never once in all these years encountered a politician (who instigates the violence) himself get hurt,” he challenges. “The persons hit are completely innocent, drawn in by the anger and rhetoric. This angers me deeply.”

March 13, 1996: The Indian cricket team loses the semi-finals against Sri Lanka. That night at about 10 pm, excited Hindus near the Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple find an old Muslim rickshaw driver, who was transporting a Hindu passenger and for no reason start beating him up. Without a thought for his own safety, Harkantbhai rushes to rescue him. In the process, he too is attacked. The attackers pierce his back with a sharp instrument and though badly bleeding, he manages to save the rickshaw driver’s life. 

His reward came later through a personal letter, penned by the DSP of Zone 4 when he came to know of this incident, commending his courage. If the old gentlemen had died instead of being saved, the city of Ahmedabad would have burnt for several days.

1996: The city is tense after communal riots have broken out. In the commotion near Dariapur Tower as the curfew is lifted, a Muslim passer-by is stopped, beaten and knifed by a Hindu mob on the rampage. The victim is rendered unconscious… the cowardly crowd simply runs away. It is near the Rupali Cinema in Ahmedabad, that this Muslim who had been attacked grievously, lies unconscious on the ground. 

Harkantbhai who happens to be passing by, does what his conscience tells him to do. He stops his car, asks his entire family to come out of the vehicle, puts the injured person in the car and drives him to the VS Hospital, thereby saving him from bleeding to death. 

1993-94: This is the first time that Harkantbhai intervenes. During the Rathyatra in the Dariapur Tamboo Chowki area, there is commotion. A crowd of Hindus try to break open and set fire to a shop belonging to a Muslim. Harkantbhai who is present at the spot physically prevents them from committing arson. The shop is saved, but a big stone thrown by the crowd hits him on his head. He falls unconscious and has to have 20-22 stitches for his head injury. But this will not deter him in future.

When he stops to help an injured man or woman, the colour of the skin or faith are things farthest from his mind. He responds swiftly, instinctively. And that instinct always tells him he must help, and quickly. He must stop the violence. And help save a precious life.