The sole Muslim family in the village of Vastan is regarded as progressive, held in high respect.
The vice chancellor of Darul-Uloom, Maulana Ghulam Vastanvi, may be in news for his remarks directed at chief minister Narendra Modi, but his family living in a village in south Gujarat is an example of communal harmony, and social and economic progress. Vastanvi’s family lives in Vastan village of Mangrol taluka in Surat district.
Vastanvi, who was made V-C of the famous Islamic institution in Deoband in UP in January second week, courted controversy when he reportedly said that Muslims in Modi’s Gujarat had progressed, hinting that “he was forgiving Modi for the 2002 riots”. This raised protests from among students of Darul-Uloom and Vastanvi offered to quit.
In Vastan, the Vastanvis are the only Muslim family. Village sarpanch Daulat Gamit says that Vastanvis’ original surname was Randera, but after living in the village for past many years, they have adopted the current surname. “This has certainly given a special status to the village,” Gamit said
The Vastanvi family has been living there for decades without any problem and fear. The bonding between this sole Muslim family and the Hindus there has grown so strong that the whole village accepts them as an integral part of the larger village family.
“We never feel Vastanvi family is different from us. They have always helped the villagers in every possible manner, even financially. There is a deep understanding between the Vastanvis and Hindus here and that has prevented any untoward incident from taking place in the village so far,” the sarpanch said.
The Vastanvis share the same sentiment.
“For us, Vastan is the safest place on the planet. Hindus here have protected us like their dear ones during the worst of times. I will not leave this village at any cost,” said Ibrahim Vastanvi, Maulana’s younger brother. What is noteworthy about this tribal-dominated village with a population of 700 is that it has never been affected by any communal violence.
“Never have they made us feel like we belong to some other community. During marriages and other religious functions, everybody in the village enjoys the occasion,” Ibrahim said.
The younger Vastanvi is considered to be a progressive and modern farmer in south Gujarat. He was felicitated by chief minister Modi at a function some 18 months back.
Ibrahim says that there is enormous development in Gujarat and people have left behind the worst experiences of the past. “With the state growing, Muslims are becoming an integral part of it,” he said.
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