7. Banta Cooks Vegetarian Chicken

Long back a friend from Canada, who had several trucks and all his drivers were Indian, in a lighter note, shared a story. One of his truck drivers Banta Singh was his faourite since he always followed his instructions without any question. 

The foodie Banta would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a tandoori chicken each Friday night after a tired day. Usually nobody bothered him but a time came when he was in trouble.

All of his neighbours were strict Catholics and it was Lent. A solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year in preparation for Easter which echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan. During the period Catholic faithful are forbidden from eating chicken and meat on a Friday. 

The delicious aroma from the grilled meats, Banta was cooking, was causing problem for his neighbours and they decided to talk to their Priest. 

The Priest came to visit Banta, and suggested that he become Catholic. Banta was convinced since he didn’t want to invite trouble. After all, he sold his agricultural land to land in Canada and wanted to send back home as much money as he could. 

After several classes and much study, Banta attended Mass on the following Sunday. As the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, “You were born a Sikh, and raised a Sikh, but now, you are a Catholic.” 

Banta’s neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived. 

Again, to their surprise the wonderful aroma of tandoori chicken and meat kebabs filled the neighbourhood. 

The neighbors rushed to call the Priest. A confused Priest immediately arrived at the scene and, as he stepped into Santa's backyard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.   

Banta was holding a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meats and chanted: “Oye, you were born a chicken and you were born a lamb, you were raised a chicken, and you were raised a lamb but now, you are a potato and tomato.” 

My purpose of narrating this story is not to amuse you. I just thought how all religions have a common practice. 

Catholics have the liturgical year, also known as the Christian year. The liturgical year follows a specific calendar, distinct from the secular calendar, and includes seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, with periods of Ordinary Time in between.

According to the Gospels, Lent is described as lasting for a total duration of 40 days, the number of days Jesus, as well as Moses and Elijah, went without food in their respective fasts. During the Lenten season self-reflection, simplicity, and honesty are emphasized.

The purpose is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are the three pillars of Lent. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries.

Worldwide Muslims observe Ramadan, as a month of fasting, which happens to be the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. 

Quran is believed to have been revealed to the prophet Muhammad during this month. Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from all behavior deemed to be sinful in Islam. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

Hindus have Navaratri – the annual festival observed in honor of the supreme goddess Durga. 

In fact, there are four seasonal Navaratris – Sharada Navaratri, Chaitra Navaratri, Magha Navaratri and Ashada Navaratri. Out of this two are widely observed and the other two are termed as Gupt (hidden) Navaratris. First in the month of March - April, and again in the month of September – October; the dates are confirmed according to the Hindu calendar. 

Thus, the festival spans over nine nights twice in a year. It is a complete fasting period and some of the devotees have water only for the full nine days. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows the water fast. Even those Hindus, who don’t observe fasting compulsively avoid garlic, onions, alcohol, meat and eggs.

Just imagine for a second – how close we are all. Even each of the religions have almost same number of the fasting days. Then why this animosity and hostility?

Now I remember Karl Marx, who said that religion is the opium of the people.

That requires another piece. 

For today let us have a hearty laugh on account of our own Banta Singh.