All-Hindu Committee Takes Over Kolkata Janmashtami Event Started By A Muslim
A Janmashtami festival committee in Kolkata, which historically included both Hindu and Muslim organizers, has been restructured to exclude Muslims under the leadership of a local BJP politician. The move has sparked debate over the communal nature of religious festival management in the region.
Why it matters
This event reflects growing communal polarization in local Indian politics and the shifting dynamics of secular traditions in community-led festivals.
For the past 57 years, people from both the Hindu and Muslim communities happily participated in organising the Janmashtami festival. However, the celebration is set for a significant change this year, after a BJP leader took charge of the event, removed all the Muslims and declared that the organising committee will have only Hindus.BJP's Rakesh Singh, who lost from the Port Assembly constituency in the recent West Bengal elections, has taken charge of the event and is also the chief guest. "No one can better respect our religion. For the past 15 years, we have seen that in each committee for Hindu festivals, Muslims were at the top of the committee. Like Firhad Hakim had been the chief of the Tarakeswar puja committee. It is time Hindus should observe their festivals according to their wish. We don't want to interfere in any other community rituals.
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