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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim,...

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim, travelling in a first-class compartment of a Churchgate-Nallasopara fast local, became embroiled in an argument over whether the train door should be kept open during heavy rain. The disagreement escalated into fatal violence after the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. As blood pooled on the floor of the compartment, passengers merely stood there watched in horror. A video of the aftermath showed the alleged killer walking away with the weapon in hand without anybody stopping him. For years, a rough but effective social order prevailed in the Mumbai local train. While commuters may have jostled for space and exchanged harsh words, there remained an unwritten code of conduct for keeping outright criminality at bay. Mumbai’s trains have long been dangerous in one sense. Every year, hundreds die while crossing tracks, hanging from footboards or falling from overcrowded coaches. But passengers rarely feared being murdered inside the compartment itself. S Even more troubling was the reaction of those present. The footage suggests that dozens of passengers chose self-preservation over intervention. While few citizens would willingly confront an armed attacker, the images nonetheless reveal a growing atomisation of urban life. Millions travel together every day, but increasingly as strangers who feel no responsibility towards one another. Mumbai’s famed collective spirit has now become a slogan repeated only after disasters rather than a reality visible in everyday life. The authorities, too, have questions to answer. How did an individual carrying a knife manage to board and travel through one of the busiest suburban rail networks in the world? Why does visible security remain so sparse despite years of promises about surveillance, modernisation and passenger safety? The Railways have invested heavily in technology, announcements and infrastructure upgrades. Yet commuters continue to encounter inadequate policing and an absence of deterrence. The larger concern is cultural. Across India’s cities, there is evidence of rising public aggression. Minor disagreements increasingly escalate into violence. Road-rage incidents, neighbourhood disputes and social-media-fuelled confrontations frequently end in bloodshed. Patience, compromise and restraint appear to be in retreat. Mumbai likes to imagine itself as different from the rest of India. The local train murder suggests otherwise. A city is judged not by its skyline but by the safety of its ordinary spaces. When passengers can no longer assume that they will return home alive from a routine train journey, something fundamental has gone wrong.

Welcoming Ramzan, the Holy Month of Fasting, Reflection, and Devotion

Updated: Mar 6, 2025

Ramzan

The holy month of Ramzan (Ramadan) is a period of spiritual renewal, self-discipline, and devotion observed by millions of Muslims worldwide. It is a time when believers fast from dawn to sunset, engage in increased prayer, and reflect on their faith. More than just abstaining from food and drink, Ramzan serves as a month of self-purification, fostering empathy for the less fortunate and strengthening one’s connection with Allah.


The Significance of Ramzan in Islam

Ramzan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the fundamental principles guiding a Muslim’s faith and practice. Fasting, or sawm, is an obligatory act during this month for all adult Muslims who are physically able. The Quran emphasizes the importance of fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah:

“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you may attain righteousness.” (Quran 2:183)


This verse highlights that fasting is not a new practice but has been a means of spiritual purification for previous religious communities as well. The primary goal is to develop taqwa (God-consciousness), encouraging believers to reflect on their actions and grow closer to Allah.


The Revelation of the Quran

Ramzan is particularly sacred because it marks the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The Quran itself confirms this in Surah Al-Baqarah:

“The month of Ramzan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Quran 2:185)


Due to this divine connection, Muslims increase their recitation of the Quran during Ramzan. Many strive to complete its entire reading within the month, either individually or by attending Taraweeh prayers, special night prayers where long passages of the Quran are recited.


Fasting: A Test of Patience and Faith

Fasting during Ramzan extends beyond abstaining from food, drink, and physical desires. It requires Muslims to control their thoughts, words, and actions, refraining from anger, gossip, and unethical behavior. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized this in a well-known Hadith:

“Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)


This Hadith underscores that the essence of fasting lies in self-restraint and moral integrity, not just physical deprivation. The ability to endure hunger and thirst fosters empathy for those less fortunate, reminding believers of the value of charity and kindness.


Acts of Worship and Charity

Ramzan is a time of intensified worship and charity. Muslims engage in extra prayers, supplications, and dhikr (remembrance of Allah), seeking forgiveness and spiritual purification. The last ten nights of the month are especially sacred, as they include Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), a night described in the Quran as “better than a thousand months” (Quran 97:3). It is believed that prayers and good deeds performed on this night are rewarded abundantly.


Charity, or Zakat, is another fundamental aspect of Ramzan. Islam mandates that able Muslims donate a portion of their wealth to those in need, known as Zakat al-Fitr, which is given before the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. This ensures that even the less fortunate can partake in the celebrations. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“The best charity is that given in Ramzan.” (Tirmidhi)


Many Muslims also engage in Sadaqah (voluntary charity), distributing food, clothing, and financial aid to the poor, further reinforcing the spirit of generosity and compassion.


The Breaking of Fast: Iftar and Suhoor

Each day of fasting ends with Iftar, the evening meal traditionally started with dates and water, as was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A Hadith states:

“When one of you breaks his fast, let him do so with dates, for they are blessed. If he does not find dates, then with water, for it is pure.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)


Before dawn, Muslims partake in Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal that provides nourishment for the day ahead. This meal is also encouraged in Islamic teachings:

“Eat Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim) These meals not only provide sustenance but also create a sense of community, as families and friends gather to eat and pray together.


Eid-ul-Fitr: The Celebration After Fasting

The conclusion of Ramzan is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a joyous festival celebrating the completion of a month of devotion. Muslims begin the day with a special congregational prayer and express gratitude to Allah for granting them the strength to fast. It is a time of feasting, exchanging gifts, and visiting loved ones. Importantly, Muslims must give Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayers to ensure that even the less fortunate can join in the celebrations.


The Lasting Impact of Ramzan

While Ramzan lasts for a month, its lessons extend beyond its days. The discipline, self-control, and spiritual growth cultivated during this time serve as a foundation for a righteous life. Muslims are encouraged to carry forward the values of patience, generosity, and devotion throughout the year.


Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Whoever fasts in Ramzan with faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)


This promise of spiritual renewal serves as a motivation for Muslims to embrace the spirit of Ramzan, not just in fasting, but in their daily actions, making it a transformative experience every year.


Ramzan is more than a ritual—it is a journey of self-improvement, devotion, and community spirit. By fasting, engaging in prayer, giving in charity, and reflecting on the teachings of the Quran, Muslims draw closer to their faith and develop a heightened sense of empathy and discipline. As believers worldwide observe this sacred month, they are reminded that the essence of Ramzan lies in purifying the heart and striving to be a better person, both spiritually and morally.


(The author is a journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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