In downtown Worli, it is common to hear an unusual greeting of ‘Assalamu-Alaikum, Guruji’ whenever an 80-year-old Muslim man steps out of his modest home. He is renowned Sanskrit scholar Pandit Gulam Dastagir, who over six decades has impressed the Shankaracharyas, late prime minister Indira Gandhi, RSS leaders and Islamic scholars, all with equal elan. Armed with a deep knowledge of both Islam and Sanskrit, Pandit Dastagir can speak with authority on any religious topic. Born in Chikhali village in Solapur district, Pandit Dastagir completed his schooling before joining a government Sanskrit institution.

Pandit Gulam Dastagir. Pic/IANS