KANPUR: The ebb and flow of the Ganga in Kumbh blurs religious barriers with four Muslims actively sensitizing pilgrims at the venue on the need to conserve the sacred river and its aquatic life.The 100-strong team of Ganga Praharis (Ganga guardians) is led by S A Hussain, a senior scientist with Wildlife Insitute of India.There are three others from the community, who too are at the vanguard of the campaign at Kumbh — one is a research scholar and the other an AMU graduate.Meet Rahil Khan from Bareilly , Shaban from Kannauj and Arman Ali from Bulandshahr, who under supervision of senior scientist SA Husain can be seen cleaning the river with praharis and animatedly conversing with crowds on the need to rejuvenate the river.Speaking to TOI, Husain said, “Conservation of the Ganga has been my mission. The pious river of Hindus is one of Allah's ‘makhluk’ (God's creatures) and its protection and preservation is everyone’s responsibility.”Ganga prahari Rahil Khan was also one among the millions who took a dip at the Sangam at dawn on Makar Sankranti.“When the Ganga does not believe in discrimination, why should I? It’s the lifeline for people of all religions. So its protection and preservation is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.Recalling a famed lyric on the Ganga, he said, “ Koi wuzu kare mere jal se, koi moorat ko nahalaye, kahin mochi chamde dhoye, kahin pandit pyaas bujhaaye. Yeh jaat dharam ke jhagde insaan ki hain naadaani (some perform wuzu with my water, some bathe idols, even cobblers wash their leather and Brahmins quench their thirst. This fight over religion and caste is human fallacy)”.

Stay updated with all the Lucknow Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.