I have been in focus recently, people are noticing me, and keep looking at me whereever i go. It is a kind of strange feeling to me. I am feeling proud but at the same time there is a risk to my life too. The reason will surely surprise you all. Lately, I have started carrying a saffron colour piece of cloth with me. Sometimes wrapping it around my neck and sometimes putting them on my head. A Gamcha is a piece of cotton cloth also known as towel. The only significance of this piece of cloth is its colour. Being saffron, anybody can take notice of me.
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The color bhagwa in Hindi, also known as saffron, is considered sacred in Hinduism and is associated with many meanings.
In Hindu mythology, saffron represents the color of fire and sunset, which symbolize Sacrifice, light, and salvation.
Saffron is associated with the pious abandonment of material life in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
Saffron symbolizes Purity, wisdom, and the quest for light and is worn by Hindu ascetics and sages who have renounced the world.
The word "bhagwa" (saffron) comes from the word "bhaga", which means "sun". It symbolizes all kinds of wealth, Dharma, reputation, prosperity, knowledge, and detachment.
Many Hindu kingdoms and dynasties had saffron in their flags to denote Sanātana Dharma.
The most interesting part is that in a secular country, while saffron being liked by kost of Hindu community, some other community has opposed this color. What I read over internet is that saffron colour has been opposed by many other community. The main opposition comes from the islamist group who resides in India. As per wikipedia:
The Islamists claims that the color is forbidden in Islam and strongly prohibited to be worn by the males.
This makes them to look other people with saffron with hatedness. I do notices that while travelling from my native place to city. There is a islamist majority area which I cover enroute. And most of the time, I notices that everyone, looks at me with ghostly eyes. Be it kid or elder or young. Seems they do not like me wearing saffron colour. If I am not wrong, these community mostly favours Green. I have seen their houses painted in green, their flag too have green shades and so does their cloth that were put upon the graves.
Infact, there is growing hatedness towards the saffron colour since 2014. Many people considers our present government as Hindu oriented and associated saffron with the ruling party. Over the years saffron has becomes a color of division. This colour predominantly divides groups of people in the society. It may sounds strange but now colour signifies a specific group of people in our society.
Looking at the way people looks at me, it appears they are ready to attack me. However, me putting that gamcha has nothing to do either with politics nor with anything. I simply put it around for my ease as it helps me to cover head to protect from dust and also many a times I utilises for wiping sweat or hands. But what people taking it has many other perspective. Butbis it bad to wear any colour of our choice. Or we risks ourself with some specific colors. Simply a question to ask.