India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A Hindu pandit’s account of receiving a warm welcome from a Muslim family during his visit to Kashmir has sparked discussion on social media, with users sharing different views on religious harmony, trust and brotherhood.
Hindu pandit Ashutosh Shastri was warmly welcomed by a Muslim family hosted by Ahbaz Khan during his Sharda Shaktipeeth visit in Kashmir. This interaction, occurring at Teetwala village near the LoC, sparked online debates on religious trust and brotherhood, especially given Khan’s efforts to build the temple amidst threats from PoK.
Pandit Ashutosh Shastri, featured in a video shared by the Instagram account Ayush Mishra.official, spoke about his experience during a visit to Sharda Shaktipeeth. He said the Muslim family he met during the journey treated him with warmth and respect, leaving a lasting impression on him.
The location of the video informs that he is in Teetwala village near the Line of Control (LoC), described in the video as the last village of Kashmir, from where Pakistan is visible.
Sharing his experience, he said, “Mai Sharda Shaktipeeth ke darshan ke liye Kashmir gaya tha, aur yahan ek Muslim parivar ne jiss tarah mera aadar-maan kiya, usne mera dil jeet liya. Yeh video sirf ek yatra ki nahi, balki uss pyaar ki hai jo mazhab ki har sarhad se upar.”
Ashutosh Shastri informs viewers that he is staying at Ahbaz Khan’s residence, where Khan welcomed Ayush. He says, “He is the person who got this temple constructed. All the houses visible in front of us belong to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Because he undertook the construction of this temple, people from Pakistan created several obstacles and issued him specific threats, warning that a bomb could be dropped on his house at any time. There is not a single Hindu household here, yet he still went ahead and built this temple.”
‘Insaniyat Pehla Dharam Hai’: Social Media Users Praise Gesture
Several users welcomed the interaction and said the family’s behaviour was an example of humanity and mutual respect.
One user commented, “इंसानियत पहला धर्म होता है मनुष्य होने का” (Humanity is the first religion of being human).
Another described the incident as a sign of respect, tolerance and brotherhood. Some users also thanked the Muslim family for welcoming the pandit and helping him during his religious journey.
One comment read, “Respect to Khan Sahab dil se shukriya Mata ji k puja aapke kripa se ho pa rhe h.. need more people like you to unite hindus and muslims like this.”
The user went on to say that people from both communities should openly show acceptance and affection instead of allowing religious differences and past tensions to create distance.
Other reactions called for Hindus and Muslims to move beyond mistrust and set positive examples for future generations. For these users, the incident was a reminder that personal interactions can challenge stereotypes and encourage people to see one another beyond religious identities.
Some Users Express Caution And Disagreement
Not everyone responded positively to the video. Some users expressed reservations about trusting people from another religious community, while others questioned whether the gesture would receive appreciation from everyone.
One comment cautioned the pandit, saying, “Pundit ji aap fir bhi satark rahiyega unfortunately ye logo pe bharosa karna bohot mushkil hai.”
Another user wrote, “No muslim will appreciate this…”
These reactions showed that the video had also opened a wider discussion about trust between religious communities. While some viewers focused on the family’s hospitality, others responded through the lens of their own beliefs and concerns.
The comments reflect the different opinions expressed by users online and should not be taken as representing either the Hindu or Muslim community as a whole.
