An example of communal harmony

Setting an example of communal harmony, several Durga pujas are being organised by the Muslim community in Tripura.

The big budget puja of the 'Blood Drop' club in the Sonamura sub-division of Sipahijala district was held under the guidance of a Muslim president of the puja committee.

 "In this Hindu majority area, they have elected me as president of the Puja Committee for the past three consecutive years. From my childhood I have been involved with the Durga puja because I have never felt that it is for the Hindus only.

We organise the puja, eat and share the joy jointly," said Basirudding Bhuyan, President of the Puja Committee.  "Even your question comes unusual to me, because I have never faced such query in my locality that how a Muslim could be a puja committee president," he said.

Bijoy Roy, a member of the club said, "you would find many Durga pujas are being funded or organised by the Muslims in this sub-division, because we take the puja as sarbajanin, (for all) and not for the Hindus only."

Muslims constitute eight percent of the total population in the state and they mostly live in this sub-division.

At Durgapur village in this sub-division where Muslims constitute 90 percent of the population, the community actively participated in the puja in making idols, building pandals, besides funding, said Subodh Nama, a puja organizer.

 "In Durga puja we do not make any communal or religious division," said Jalillur Rehaman, a local advocate.