By Muslim Mirror Desk
A Muslim family visiting Maharashtra’s Naneghat Reverse Waterfalls for a quiet retreat reportedly faced discomfort from a group of Hindutva supporters. The scenic site, known for its historical trade route significance, drew the family, including children, to enjoy its natural beauty.
According to accounts, the supporters began reciting lines from the poem Haldighati:
“Goonj uthi hai Haldighati
Ghodon ke in taapon se;
Veeron ki ye sena lekar,
Rana ladta Mughalon se”
This translates to: “The echoes of Haldighati resound with the thunder of horses’ hooves; leading this army of brave warriors, Rana fights against the Mughals.” The family appeared visibly uncomfortable during the recitation.
The poem, composed by Hindi poet Shyam Narayan Pandey in the 1940s, celebrates the valour of Mewar’s Maharana Pratap and his horse Chetak. Pandey is also known for Jauhar, a folk-style work on the self-sacrifice of Chittor’s Queen Rani Padmini.
The Battle of Haldighati occurred on 18 June 1576 in the Aravalli range. Maharana Pratap confronted forces led by Raja Man Singh I of Amber, an ally of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The incident has sparked discussion about the use of historical poetry in public spaces and its impact on visitors.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.