This year’s Durga Puja celebrations conquered new heights in terms of fostering religious unity and understanding, which can be seen seldom in any other place other than Bengal. A senior cabinet minister, a Muslim, from the Mamata Government excitedly participated in the inauguration of many pandals and the festivities. One Pandal offered Azaan as an exercise towards cementing communities. Another one reportedly performed the Kumari Puja with a Muslim girl child, in Hindu traditions. A Muslim gentleman built a permanent place of Durga worship in rural Bengal. A newly elected MP, a Muslim married to a Hindu, was dancing in ecstasy to the beat of the drums. All these were classic displays of cultural integration, so necessary in today’s context.
There were posts on the social networks enlightening the participation of many Muslim artisans creating Shola, the chalachitra-the paintwork of the Goddess’s angels at the back, the elegant filigree decorative or the wavy hairdos of the Gods. There could be more, the flowers and fruits offered, or the rice harvested which go into the festivals. Muslims have played a significant role then and are doing so now. These simple folks are unlike any hardline Islamists who loathe anything to do with other religions and in particular idolatry.
I guess such amity is certainly for the betterment of the state and the country and must be allowed to flourish I also sadly see that cases have already been filed by a few claiming that such overtures are insults to Hinduism. Similarly a few clergies have declared the participation of the Muslim MP as ‘Un-Islamic.’ A few others question, if the mosques will recite Chandipath or Bhagawat Gita, thus reciprocating the gestures made to the minority community.
Changes do come, with education and understanding, or calamity and compulsion. I prefer the earlier.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix