Muslim's mission to save Hindu heritage

A number of Hindu temples are falling into disrepair

The Archaeological Survey of India is considering declaring a number of neglected Hindu temples monuments of national importance in an effort to save them - thanks largely to the efforts of a local Muslim historian.

Mohamed Yassin Fatah, who works as a school clerk in the area, has been trying to save the Hindu temples near Calcutta - an area where Muslims dominate - for the last 30 years.

The temples are under threat both because of neglect and because their bricks are being stolen by local people.

"I started this back in 1971. I was interested in the history of the temples, who built them, and why they were built," Mr Fatah explained to BBC World Service's Outlook programme.

"In my village alone, there were 34 of these temples.

"I found that some local Hindus were stealing bricks from them, and also selling temple statues in the market.

"So I want to preserve and protect the temples, because they're of historical value."

Violence

In 1991 Mr Fatah founded a local archaeological preservation committee, with members from the Hindu, Muslim and indigenous communities.

They said to me, 'you are a Muslim. These are our temples, and we can do what we want with them. Why are you interfering?' Mohamed Yassin Fatah

The thefts continued until last year, Mr Fatah said - but they had now stopped completely.

But he said that he had encountered hostility from both Muslims and Hindus over his efforts.

Hindus complained when he tried to stop them stealing bricks, he said.

"They said to me, 'you are a Muslim. These are our temples, and we can do what we want with them. Why are you interfering?'

"They beat me up as well. Then I tried to explain to them that they might be Hindu temples, but they were also part of our national heritage."

Local Muslims, meanwhile, were "still not happy" with what Mr Fatah was doing.

"I had some anonymous telephone threats a few months ago - they told me to give up this work or something unpleasant would happen to me," Mr Fatah stated.

"They can't understand why a Muslim would want to do this."

Enthusiasm

But Mr Fatah insisted his efforts had brought real change to the area.

"[Muslims] don't like it, but things have changed in this area," he said.

Mr Fatah is creating an 'archaeological map' of all the temples in the region

"Tourists come from all over India as well as other countries to see the temples. As a result roads are built and we have been provided with telephones and electricity.

And he added that despite all the abuse heaped on him, it was his own love of history that had encouraged him to persevere.

"I am fascinated by the significance of the temples and the reasons for building them," Mr Fatah said.

"I try to explain this to local people, and I write articles about them.

"In this district alone there are over 1,000 temples, mosques and churches. I am researching all of them, and I have made an archaeological map of the district.

"To map a whole district like this is unprecedented in India, but I do it out of enthusiasm."