Muslim Mob Opposes Construction Of Welcoming Gate For Durga Puja Mandap in Ashoknagar of West Bengal, Claims Entire Locality as a “Muslim Area”

A Muslim mob opposed the construction of a welcoming gate for a Durga Puja mandap near Samudrapur School in Ashoknagar under North 24 Parganas, claiming that the entire locality belongs to Muslims.

Hindus preparing to celebrate Durga Puja, the defining festival of Bengali culture, were told that they could not erect a welcoming gate because it was supposedly in a “Muslim area.”

Since when did Bengal’s streets acquire religious ownership? Who granted anyone the authority to decide which community can celebrate its festivals and where?

Durga Puja is not a favour granted by one community to another. It is a deeply rooted cultural and religious tradition of Bengal.

No neighbourhood becomes the private property of a religious community. No citizen should be made to feel like an outsider in their own homeland.

Bengal’s identity cannot be held hostage by intimidation, religious arrogance or communal entitlement.