In West Midnapore district, members of the Muslim community offered sweets and water to devotees who were taking out a Ram Navami procession. The Hindu devotees also extended fruits and flowers to the masjid committee members.
Kolkata,UPDATED: Apr 5, 2023 23:57 IST
Ram Navami procession being taken out in Bengal’s West Midnapore district. (Screengrab)
By Dipaneeta Das: West Bengal witnessed clashes across the state during and after Ram Navami celebrations. The clashes, in turn, led to the BJP and the Trinamool Congress taking potshots at each other. However, while the grim situation marred the festival celebration in several districts, the West Midnapore district witnessed scenes that set an example of communal harmony.
A heart-warming gesture was observed between two communities in the West Midnapore district of the state. The Khaprel Bazar area of Midnapore city houses the biggest Bajrang Club in the district, which launched an elaborate Ram Navami procession. As part of the procession route, the devotees walked through the lanes which were lined with stalls selling Iftar items as Muslims observed the holy month of Ramzan.
When the procession passed the area, Muslims offered sweets and water to devotees as they crossed the Shah Adil Mosque. Before taking out the Ram Navami procession, the Hindu devotees also extended fruits and flowers to the masjid committee members. All those items were handed over to the fasting Muslims who visited the mosque on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to India Today, Biswajit Gope, a member of Bajrang Club, said, “First, I want to tell you, neither Hindus nor Muslims, we are human beings before any religion.”
The masjid committee was also invited in a bid to spread communal harmony. The leaders felicitated each other with garlands, shook hands, and hugged as an honorary gesture. Sona Khan, a masjid committee member, offered laddoos and savory items along with red roses as respect.
Sona Khan said, “We are residents of this area. We have to see each others’ faces every day when we go to work. We all live together. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with each other even during this festival. I urge everyone to do the same.”
Police officers and officials from the administration also took part in the event.
Soumen Khan, chairman of the municipality, said, “What happened is a sign of extreme harmony. This is our Midnapore. I pray that everyone will continue like this.”
(Inputs by Sajahan Ali from West Midnapore)
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