KOLKATA: At a time when the country is grappling with polarisation and divisions in society, Durga Puja in Bengal has remained a shining example of syncretism and communal harmony. In the city’s Muslim-dominated areas, Durga Puja is organised and celebrated by Muslims with as much enthusiasm as in Hindu-majority neighbourhoods. At the khunti puja of Shib Mandir Sarbojonin, for example, a Muslim social activist has been in charge of making the sweets that is distributed on the occasion for the last six years. This Sunday, he cooked kheer for 125 people and served it to guests. At another neighbourhood, local Muslims last year revived a Durga Puja that was discontinued 15 years ago.
Mudar Patherya has been living in the neighbourhood for 25 years. Six years back he took upon himself the responsibility of making the sweets on the day of khunti puja that marks the beginning of pandal construction for Durga Puja. “Initially, I funded the sweets but then I started cooking kheer with some of my Muslim friends and serving it to guests, club members and visitors. The kheer has now become part of Shib Mandir’s annual tradition,” said Patherya. He added that his participation in the festivities was initially prompted by his duty towards his neighbourhood but “considering the current scenario, it has become relevant now and is an attempt to build bridges between communities”.
At Alimuddin Street, a predominantly Urdu-speaking locality, local Muslim youths last year got together to revive a Durga Puja that was discontinued 15 years ago after most Bengali Hindu families moved out. “Most of us had fond memories of the neighbourhood Durga Puja so we wanted to revive the tradition with our Bengali brothers and sisters, who took the responsibility of conducting the rituals, since we are not aware of it . The Muslim members of the community took part in fetching the idols from Kumartuli, cutting fruits for prasad and distributing bhog,” said Tauseef Rahman, a social activist.
