Social harmony pervades two popular Kali Pujas celebrated in two villages of Malda.

Every year, unlike the pujas held in most places, Hindus and Muslims join hands to celebrate these two Kali Pujas.

In Habibpur block, a Kali Puja initiated by a Muslim woman is joined by thousands of Hindus. In Manikchak, members of the Muslim community outnumber Hindus in a Kali Puja committee, the venue being a temple near a mosque.

The Kali Puja at Madhyam Kendua in Habibpur block, some 20km from Malda town, is extremely popular, with “going to see Shephali Kali (Puja)” being a byword among residents.

Shephali Bibi, who started this Kali Puja 34 years ago, did not care for resentments articulated by various dogmatic members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Eventually, the determination of Shephali Bibi won over orthodoxy, and over three decades on, Hindus and Muslims join hands to organise the puja and maintain a gigantic crowd.

Many residents recount a tale that they have heard for decades now on Shephali Bibi started the Kali Puja.

She was only 21 when she suddenly fell very ill, recounted a resident. No medicine worked.

Then, apparently she shared a dream with villagers, claiming she was directed by goddess Kali to worship her to get cured.

The mosque and the temple stand next to each other

Initially, her claim was denounced by both communities. Brahmins refused to worship the idol. But an undaunted Shephali, then a young girl, went ahead with the preparations.

Eventually, a priest appeared claiming he received orders from the goddess in his dream to worship the idol. This is how the Kali Puja had started.

“Call it a miracle or whatever, Shephali got cured then,” Siddhartha Sarkar, a resident of Habibpur, said.

Shephali Bibi, in her late fifties now, still heads the Kali Puja with people’s support. The idol is huge, so are the crowds. This year, the pandemic pared down celebrations, but otherwise this continues to be one of most popular Kali Puja celebrations in the region.

Another Kali Puja held in the vicinity of Manikchak police station, some 30km from town, is also special.

Around 120 years back, this Kali Puja was started by Fudina Singh, then head constable, in a temple facing a mosque.

“Mutual respect is the key factor here,” said Sagar Singh, Manikchak resident. “At the time of the Namaz, the temple’s microphone is turned off. Mosque authorities ask people of the Muslim community to refrain from noise during Puja,” he said.

Not just that, most members in this puja committee are Muslims. The committee has 11 Hindus and 13 Muslims working together every year to host the Kali Puja.

So if Gour Mandal, the sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad happens to be the president of the puja committee, Jamal Khan is the secretary.

“We have perceived the basics of every religion. All religions preach tolerance, peace and respect for other religions. Those who try to divide us in the name of religion, do so for their vested interest,” said Khan.