Daulat Rahman/Guwahati

More than half a century ago Hindu and Muslim villagers in western Assam’s Nalbari district had started an initiative to live in peace and harmony. The initiative has now taken a new form and nearly 2 lakh villagers of Sandheli, Pokua, and Panigaon villages are getting ready to celebrate the festival of Diwali and perform the Kali puja together.

“Several years ago our forefathers (both Hindus and Muslims) from Sandheli, Pokua, and Panigaon vowed not to let communal disturbances happening at other places touch the three villages. They used to meet every day at the convergence point of roads leading to three villages and discuss how to maintain unity amidst diversities. The meeting point of our forefathers has now been named Milon Chowk. 

“During such meetings, the villagers decided to help organize each other's festivals and share good vibes. Nearly a decade ago as a mark of befitting tribute to our forefather's endeavour to live in harmony, we both Hindus and Muslims had started celebrating Diwali together at Milon Chowk,” Mohammed Ibrahim Ali, president of Sarbojanin Sri Sri Shyama Puja Committee, Milon Chowk said.

Regular meetings at Milon Chowk by forefathers of three villages have helped the villagers to maintain harmony even in the toughest of times.

Hindus and Muslims sitting together at Kali Pujan

Ali has told Awaz-The Voice that there are three prime objectives of organizing the Shyama puja at Milon Chowk. He said through the Shyama puja and Diwali the villagers (Hindus & Muslims) pray to drive away all evil forces and elements from their villages. Shyama is another name for Kali — the Hindu goddess of dissolution and destruction.

“The second objective of organizing such puja and Diwali is to further strengthen the sense of brotherhood among the villagers. The third objective is to remember the good deeds of our forefathers,” Ali said.

Paramesh Sarma, the committee’s vice president, said festivals organized jointly by Hindus and Muslims are occasions for people of the three villages to catch up. “Unlike olden times, work takes many people out of villages these days. So these kinds of festivals create an opportunity for many to come back to their villages and realize their roots once a year,” Sarma said.

Locals - Hindus and Muslims - The committee also organizes festivals celebrated by people of both religions such as Eid and Rongali Bihu.

Sarma said the community feasting after the festive rituals is what the villagers look forward to.

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Ali said the committee would organize the Shyama puja and Diwali at Milon Chowk on November 11 and 12. Besides religious rituals, a plantation drive will also be carried out during a two-day-long celebration to make the villages green and clean.