Kanpur, December 26: In a display of communal harmony in violence-hit Kanpur, Hindus came together to provide security to a Muslim man's baraat (procession) and escorted all guests to safety, Times of India reported. Hasnain Farooque from Pratapgarh was to tie the knot with Bakarganj's Zeenat on December 21. Shortly before the event, Hasnain called Zeenat and said that he was unsure about taking out his baraat. Communal Harmony Wins Over Violence in Assam's Hailakandi: Muslim Man Helps Hindu Neighbour's Pregnant Wife Reach Hospital on Time.

Hours before Hasnain's call, two people had died in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the vicinity and deployment of police and paramilitary personnel had increased. Following the conversation between the bride and the groom, Zeenat's parental uncle Wajid Fazal suggested that marriage should be postponed. Elders from the bride's family sat but couldn't find the solution for Hasnain's problem. Hindu Family in Lakhimpur Donates Land for Muslim Burial Ground.

Meanwhile, Zeenat's neighbour Vimal Chapadiya came to know about the family's concerns. Chapadiya decided to help them and called Hasnain. "Don't worry. We will escort the baraat the entire time to ensure their safety," he told Hasnain on phone, as reported by TOI. In the evening of December 21, the groom and 70 baraatis arrived at Bakarganj Chauraha in cars and minibuses and walked to the wedding venue.

During the nearly one-kilometre-long journey from Bakarganj Chauraha to the venue, 50-odd Hindus led by Chapadiya walked around baraatis and escorted them safely. “Vimal and his friends ensured that the baraat were fine. They even stayed back until the bidai (departure of the bride)," Fazal told TOI. The marriage took place without any problem. Zeenat, who lost her father when she was 12, thanked "Vimal bhaiya".

"A wedding scheduled in the area had been cancelled as the groom’s family refused to come since the situation was so tense. That morning, when my uncle received the call, I had given up all hope that my wedding would take place. Without Vimal bhaiya’s intervention, the baraat would not have reached here. He came like a farishta (angel) in my life," Zeenat was quoted as saying.

Chapadiya said that he merely did what he felt was right. "I have seen Zeenat grow up. She is like my younger sister. How could I let her heart be broken? We are neighbours and I had to stand with the family in times of distress," he said. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh were marred by violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2019 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).