A prominent Janmashtami celebration in Kolkata’s Mominpore area, which has traditionally involved members of both Hindu and Muslim communities, will reportedly be organised by Hindus alone this year.
The change comes after BJP leader Rakesh Singh, who contested and lost the Port Assembly constituency in the recent West Bengal elections, took charge of the event and said the organising committee would consist only of Hindus.
The celebration, held near the Bhukailash Road-Hussain Shah Road crossing in Mominpore, is entering its 58th year.
BJP Leader Defends Decision
Singh, who described himself as the president and chairperson of the organising committee, said Janmashtami is a Hindu festival and should be organised by Hindus.
“We cannot demean our traditional culture. People from other religions should definitely visit pandals, but it is our duty to protect our religious activities. Janmashtami is a Hindu festival and it should be performed by Hindus only,” Singh told The Times of India.
He said Muslims would be free to visit temples or worship Lord Krishna at home but should not be part of Hindu festival committees in the Kolkata Port area.
“If any Muslims or trusts want to worship Lord Krishna in their houses, we have no objection to that. But we will certainly oppose any Muslim’s participation in any trust or puja committee in Kolkata Port area,” Singh said.
Singh also claimed that Muslims had held important positions in committees organising Hindu festivals in Kerala and said he believed Hindus should now organise their festivals according to their own wishes.
Locals Say Festival Was Started by Muslim Social Worker
Local residents said the Janmashtami celebration was started nearly six decades ago by Muslim social worker Md Kashim under the banner of Kidderpore Samaj Kalyan Samity.
Residents said the event later declined but was revived by a group of Muslim youths after the Trinamool Congress came to power in West Bengal in 2011.
Muhammad Alam, a Trinamool Congress functionary and former member of the organising committee, said Hindus and Muslims had participated together in the celebrations for years.
“The committee members have invited Rakesh Singh this year. This year the puja is being organised by Sanatanis only. Earlier, members from both Hindu and Muslim communities were participating in organising the puja,” Alam said.
“We have a soft corner in our heart for Krishna ji too. But this year no one from the Muslim community has been invited to the festival. This is not good for the future society. A deviation is being intentionally created between Hindus and Muslims,” he added.
Another former committee member, Rakesh Kumar, said the festival had historically brought the two communities together.
“We don’t know who is organising Janmashtami this year. Kasim Chacha started the Janmashtami years back. He has died, but Hindus and Muslims have happily participated in the festival,” he said.
New Committee Disputes Muslim Participation
Members of the new committee have disputed claims that Muslims were part of the organising body in recent years.
Shibulal Paswan, a member of the new committee, said Muslims could still attend the festival and contribute donations.
“Muslims can happily take part in the puja. They can even participate in the donation or in chanda,” Paswan said.
He acknowledged that a Muslim man had organised the Janmashtami celebration in the past but claimed that Muslims were no longer part of the committee after his death.
The change has sparked a debate over the character of a festival that locals say had long been an example of Hindu-Muslim participation in Mominpore.
Singh’s move also comes shortly after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad issued guidelines to Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata, calling for pandal designs to reflect Hindu culture and heritage and urging organisers to prohibit non-vegetarian food inside core pandal areas.
