The Hindu and the Muslim - Koi comment hai?...

Delhi.
7.45 pm, evening before Id in India.

I (to a "Muslim" acquaintance): Kal ka kya plan hai?!
Acquaintance: Meeting friends, and then we will go out somewhere!
I: New clothes and all!
Acquaintance: Yes!! Hamare Kashmir mei to aaj hi Id mana liya gaya...
I: Woh kaise? Chaand dikhna chahiye na pehle?
Acquaintance: Pakistan mei already chaand dikh gaya na... To isssliye Kashmir mei mana liya gaya...
I: Ohhh!...
(A few seconds of silence. I am fiddling with my cellphone)
Acquaintance: To kahiye? Koi comment hai aapka iske baare mein?...
I: Comment kya hoga? Jo hai, so hai...

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In today's highly polarised atmosphere of "they" and "us", The Hindu and the Muslim series is a conscious effort to record, and dissect, "Hindu-Muslim encounters" (including the ones done by police) and look for patterns...

The Hindu and the Muslim - Party hai in Nizamuddin

A barber's shop in Delhi.
10.30 pm, night before Id.

A man enters with his child for a shave. He's in a coloured baniyaan, printed shorts and hawai chappal. Fair, toned biceps, sleek cellphone... His child is fair, like him, and is saying "Papa, papa..." every now and then. The man responds with a "Haan beta, haan beta" every time.

Cellphone rings.

Man:
Haan, kahan hai tu?
Sunn... Aaj raat ko milte hai... We're going for a party. After that...
(brief lull)
Nizamuddin mei kahin... Woh Nitu ki koi friend hai uske wahan party hai...
(brief lull)
No No No! Not Muslims...

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In today's highly polarised atmosphere of "they" and "us", The Hindu and the Muslim series is a conscious effort to record, and dissect, "Hindu-Muslim encounters" (including the ones done by police) and look for patterns...