Durga Puja presents a message of harmony
Religious and communal harmony is an essential feature of Durga Puja in Bengal. There can be found several examples of people of non-Hindu denominations lending a helping hand and even taking the lead in organising Durga Pujas.
This is specially seen in Kolkata, which can be called the universal centre of the Durga Puja. (Not for nothing did UNESCO give its stamp of approval for Intangible Cultural Heritage to ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’).
A Durga Puja on Alimuddin Street was revived by local Muslims last year, after a 16-year break. A six-member all-Muslim committee is in charge. This year, nuns from the Missionaries of Charity will join in as well.
Another example is the nearly-70-year-old Five Star Club Durga Puja in Khidderpore, a Muslim-majority area of the city. Thirteen members of the organising committee are Muslims.
Then there is Alipore 78 Pally Durga Puja, set up adjacent to a mosque, which has been a shining example of inclusivity for 63 years. Here 40 of the 70 organising committee members are Muslims, who “are involved in all activities—from collecting funds and distributing bhog to participating in Sandhi Puja”, according to puja secretary Sourav Majumdar.
A video too from this year is doing the rounds, where Muslims and Hindus are seen dancing together to a song, accompanied by the rhythm of drums (dhak) and cymbals, at the famous Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja, whose theme is Jaipur’s Sheesh Mahal.
These are just some of the several examples. In fact, the inter-communal participation and benefit is seen not just during the Durga Puja itself; the huge economic and business angle that Durga Puja has to it, which a British Council study released last year pegged at Rs 32,300 crore, too sees the involvement of from all.
