Assam Hindu Professor’s Islamic Knowledge Saves Him from Terror Attack in Pahalgam
SILCHAR : In a harrowing incident that underscores the power of interfaith knowledge during times of crisis, Debasish Bhattacharya, a Hindu associate professor of Bengali at Assam University in Silchar, narrowly escaped death during the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. His familiarity with Islamic scripture proved to be his lifeline when confronted by a gunman.
Bhattacharya, 58, was vacationing in Kashmir with his wife, Madhumita Bhattacharya, a renowned danseuse, and their son, Drohadeep, a doctor at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, when tragedy struck on Tuesday. The family was enjoying the scenic beauty of Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam when the tranquility was shattered by the sound of gunfire.
Recounting the terrifying ordeal, Bhattacharya explained how a gunman, after fatally shooting a man standing next to him, turned towards him and demanded he recite the first Kalma, the Islamic declaration of faith, if he wished to live. Overwhelmed by fear, the professor, well-versed in Islamic scripture, began to chant the Kalma loudly. To his astonishment and relief, the gunman retreated, allowing Bhattacharya and his family to flee to safety.
“Overwhelmed by fear, I began to chant the first kalma loudly. After some time, I realised the gunman had retreated, and we scrambled to a fence behind us. We climbed over it and fled into a jungle,” Bhattacharya recounted from Silchar.
The professor’s sister, Indrani Das, shared the family’s quick-thinking in the face of danger. “My sister-in-law (Madhumita) told me over the phone that when the terrorists began their assault, she swiftly removed her shakha-pola (traditional Hindu bangles) and wiped away her sindoor (vermilion) in a desperate attempt to prove they were not Hindus,” Das revealed.
Bhattacharya vividly described the horrific scene, stating, “First, one of the gunmen shot dead a man standing next to me and was simultaneously asking people to recite the kalma. The victim’s blood and flesh splattered onto my jacket. As the gunman approached us, I started to recite the kalma. The gunman asked me in Hindi and Urdu to recite loudly.”
The attack’s suddenness left the family in shock. Initial sounds of gunshots were dismissed as potential warning shots by forest officials. However, their son, Drohadeep, soon witnessed the grim reality as he saw a tourist being shot dead just meters away. Panic set in, and the family sought refuge among the bushes, taking cover under a tree.
Their escape was arduous. They trekked approximately 2.5 kilometers through difficult terrain before they could get a mobile signal. Fortuitously, with the help of a local woman, they managed to contact the horseman they had hired, who then brought them back to their hotel. Bhattacharya estimated that he and his son saw at least five terrorists involved in the attack.
This incident highlights not only the brutality of the terror attack in Pahalgam but also the remarkable presence of mind and interfaith understanding displayed by Professor Bhattacharya. His knowledge of Islamic scripture, a testament to his open-mindedness and cultural awareness, became an unexpected shield in a life-threatening situation. This story resonates deeply, emphasizing the importance of empathy and knowledge across religious and cultural divides, even amidst violence and fear.
The attack in the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination, has understandably sent shockwaves through the region and the country. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and security measures in the area are expected to be heightened. The bravery and quick thinking of the Bhattacharya family serve as a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s resilience in the face of terror.