​​​​​​​Tradition of Hindus and Muslims celebrating Durga Puja continues in West Bengal

Hindus and Muslims of West Bengal have once again showed that they have cordial relations. Members of the two communities have been known to celebrate Hindu and Muslim festivals together and it continues this year too.

A Durga Puja, which was discontinued 15 years ago, has been revived by some Muslim youth at the Alimuddin Street in Kolkata. The puja used to be celebrated in the area, which is close to the main office of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The celebrations had started in the 1950s, but were discontinued in 2005, after most of the Hindu families migrated to other areas.

Some Muslim youth in the area, missed the puja celebrations, but were not sure how the Hindus would react if they revived the celebrations on their own. However, when a Hindu youth tossed up the idea of reviving it, it was supported by the Muslims who were eager to start the celebrations.

After that there was no stopping the Muslim youth. They formed Sishupal Foundation Durga Puja Committee, raised funds and helped in all the preparations for the puja. They have vowed to continue the celebrations every year.

This development has to be seen in the light of attempts to divide the people of West Bengal on communal lines, especially during the recently held Legislative Assembly elections. During the elections, independent news channels were full of interviews and news of Hindus and Muslims stating categorically that attempts to divide them would be futile, as their unity would continue. Most of them blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for trying create hatred for each other, between Hindus and Muslims, in order to garnish Hindu votes. The election results showed that there was no polarisation on communal lines in West Bengal.