[Reader-list] Devotees offer cigarettes at Captain Baba's mausoleum in Lucknow

[S.Shashidhar]

Price of agitations 

 THIS is with reference to the forthright tone of your stinging editorial, ‘No raj in Rajasthan’ (IE, June 5), in which you rightly say that “for a modern state, the rule of law is a non-negotiable”. Can you imagine my misery yesterday when, having come here on some urgent professional business, I could not go beyond two kilometres from my parent’s home in Ghaziabad, because of the sealing of Delhi’s borders by the sponsors of the bandh? If in many parts of Rajasthan, both the Gujjars and the Meenas had played havoc with the normal life of ordinary citizens for six days, in the Capital, Monday was made into a nightmare. Yet no one from the UPA government or the BJP said anything about it. You are right when you say that “shrill and uninformed accusations of police excesses” dissuade the police from acting tough. When the police act tough, their political bosses must stand by them. Now, who will pick up the bill for the damage caused to public and private property, as well
 as for the time lost at work? 

— M. Ravi, Ghaziabad 


----- Original Message ----
From: Shivam Vij <mail at shivamvij.com>
To: sarai list <reader-list at sarai.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 8:29:57 PM
Subject: [Reader-list] Devotees offer cigarettes at Captain Baba's mausoleum in Lucknow


Devotees offer cigarettes at Captain Baba's mausoleum in Lucknow


By Kamna Mathur
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/145852.php/Devotees-offer-cigarettes-at-Captain-Babas-mausoleum-in-Lucknow


Lucknow, June 1: Though smoking or drinking at any religious place can
offend many believers at Captain Baba's mausoleum in Lucknow, offering
cigarettes is a gesture of respect.

It is believed all prayers can be answered on lighting cigarettes a-la
joss sticks. And, a large number of Hindus and Muslims do so while
visiting this sacred mausoleum here.

Everyday, hundreds of cigarettes are offered by devotees who visit
this place to seek blessings of Captain Baba.

"One of my uncles told me that many of his wishes were fulfilled once
he visited Captain Baba's shrine. I accompanied him on the first
occasion. Now, I am regular visitor. All wishes are fulfilled here",
said Ram Gopal Pal, a devotee.

It is said Gore Baba alias Mohammad Ashim, worked as Captain in the
British Army when the British ruled India. He died during the uprising
of 1857. But he had a special liking for the "Capstan" brand of
cigarette.

After his death, a mausoleum was built and today it is revered as
"Captain Baba's Dargarh". As he was known for smoking cigarettes, the
followers started a convention to offer the same at his mausoleum.The
devotees bring this particular brand as their expression of affection
for the Baba.

Gore Baba was a highly respected person and some believed he had
divine qualities. Later, admirers started calling him Captain Baba.

Every Thursday, there is a big rush at Captain Baba's mausoleum and
all visitors, irrespective of caste or creed, come along their
cigarettes.

"We have deep faith in Baba. He is near to God. However, we are just
his devotees who come here to seek blessing for ourselves and our
children," said Aquil Ahmed, a devotee.

'After lighting the cigarette, I express my desires to Baba. The
wishes are fulfilled, so we have faith in Baba", said Nazim Ali, a
devotee.

People light the cigarettes and insert them in cracked crevices on
Captain Baba's grave, just like incense sticks are lit at mausoleums.
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