அகர்தலாவில் ஏராளமான முஸ்லீம்கள் இந்துக்களுடன் இணைந்ந்துகொண்டாடும் துர்கா பூஜை

அகர்தலாவில் ஏராளமான முஸ்லீம்கள் இந்துக்களுடன் இணைந்ந்துகொண்டாடும் துர்கா பூஜை

முஸ்லீம்களை தாய்மதத்தில் இணைந்திட அன்புடன் அழைக்கிறோம்

A Hindu-Muslim Durga Puja in Agartala
Kishalay Bhattacharjee
Wednesday, October 08, 2008, (Agartala)

Serial bomb blast across various states in the country may have dampened the spirit of Navaratri, but the blasts on the eve of Durga Puja has not changed the festivities in Tripura, which has a unique tradition of Hindus and Muslims celebrating puja together.

Not far from the big-budget colourful Durga Puja celebrations of Agartala is Rajnagar, a township along the Indo-Bangladesh border, where a low-key puja assumes huge significance.

While there is communal flare up across the country, in Tripura, Hindus and Muslims are celebrating Durga Puja together.

"We've been doing this for the last ten years. Most people here are from low income levels and Hindus and Muslims are in the same committee," said Rana Choudhary, secretary, Rajnagar Puja Committee.

It is a township largely inhabited by daily wage labourers like rickshaw pullers and they have been able to spend just Rs 14000 for the puja.

"We are one, we've always been one. We live together, so why wouldn't we celebrate our festivals together?" said Nazrul Islam, member of Rajnagar Puja Committee.

Bengali Muslims have been indigenous to Tripura. In fact, Bengali Hindus are the migrants in the area. Despite the animosity shared elsewhere between the two communities, it has become a tradition in the state to celebrate festivals together. Perhaps induced by the ruling Left Front, it is one policy that seems to work well for all.