The Legacy of Gandhi Visits: A Rangrez's Tale in Varanasi

The 65-year-old Roshan Ali Rangrez was not waiting for Rahul Gandhi. Banarasi Ali Rangrez, his late father, used to attend on Rajiv Gandhi. For Indira Gandhi, his grandfather Ghiga Chaudhary also done so.

Why then does Roshan not hold out for Rahul? The rangrez, which derives from the term "dyer" and has become part of the family name, grinned. "My father was a strong advocate for the Congress, but I try not to display my political affiliation in any overt way."


You have to work hard to get him to open up more. He sits in his 6 × 6 dye business in Chapariya Gali, about 20 meters from Gate No. 4 of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and adds, "Indira Gandhi met my grandfather whenever she visited Varanasi."

He's not sure how Indira got to know Ghiga, but he accurately notes that the family is "famous" in the area for their expertise in clothing dying. Oldtimers verified that Indira and Rajiv used to visit a lot of regular people, stopping by their homes and places of business without any protection. Roshan does not have any images to support his claims.

Whenever Rajiv traveled to Varanasi, he would stop by the store to see my father. Roshan recalls, "My father and grandpa were rangrez who voted for Congress and were respected individuals.

Rajiv and Indira were aware of this. Rajiv was rooted in his heritage and skilled at fostering connections, much like his mother.

One day before to Rahul's Nyay Yatra arriving in Varanasi, The Telegraph had an interview with Roshan on Friday.

"Rahul is coming here, but it's possible that he doesn't know how much his father and grandma loved us unconditionally. I don't wait for him since we don't meet when he comes to Varanasi, Roshan stated.

On Saturday morning, Rahul traveled to Varanasi, where he worshiped at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple before departing in the afternoon. Roshan continued to work diligently, making dye in boiling water over a fireplace and dying garments.

He makes around Rs 500 per day and specializes at dying dhotis in yellow and saffron. He asserts that he is the last living rangrez who is aware of whatever Hindu religious ceremony calls for the appropriate depth of saffron in the dhoti.

"I receive Rs. 18 for each article of clothes and Rs. 20 for a dhoti." We don't need anything more; we're content with this," he adds.

He claims his grandfather Ghiga was from Sikar in Rajasthan. Ghiga just woke up one day, started walking east, and arrived at Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur. Though he started a dyeing unit, he worked in social work most of the time.

"I still vote for Congress, but I'm not sure about my two sons and two daughters," adds Roshan. While my boys do namaz every Friday at the Biwi Razia Masjid, I do it on occasion.

Why not just down the street from their residence at the Gyanvapi Masjid?

Roshan's face is shadowed. It's important to consider current events in order to comprehend the filthy nature of politics. Although I'm not sure about my kids' political views, I'm glad they avoid controversy," he adds.

Muslims and Hindus are engaged in a legal dispute over the mosque. Hindu priests may now worship idols in the mosque's basement, according to a recent decision by the district court.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.