Diwali & Kali Puja Celebrated At India Bangladesh International Border With Firm Restrictions

OFFERING PRAYER OR PUJA IS BANNED AT INTERNATIONAL BORDER

SHIB SHANKAR CHATTERJEE

Man and woman being the gregarious animal can neither live an isolated life nor resist him and her from taking part in ceremonies or festivals or so. So, when like each and every year, all the peoples of this Indian subcontinent as well as the India were busy in remaining engaged in celebrating festivals like Kali Puja and Diwali or so, the populaces of Bangladesh (specially, Hindu community of Sanatan Religion), who has been dwelling along the India Bangladesh International Border (IBIB) areas come to International Border Village (IBV) Gormoholi, under English Bazaar Police Station (PS) of Malda district of Eastern Indian State, West Bengal that stands just adjacent to their IBVs to celebrate the aforesaid festival in a body. Although, it is fact that the two nations principle and the International Barbed Wire Fencing (IBWBF) have brought a division among the peoples of both side states; yet at heart, the above two nations populaces have been cherishing happy moments of enjoying mirth and merriments or pomp and pleasures, which they would enjoy in earlier days in a body. Thus, these socio-cultural activities such as different types of prayers, pujas and festivals can never intend to impose the pang of separation but always try to bring proximity and pave the path of healthy and happy atmosphere. The old idea of one nation theory is still in existence among the populaces of the above both countries. The happy moments of getting together and enjoying or celebrating prayers, pujas and festivals always prick the above the peoples of the said two nations, who get existed with the thought of expropriation. The peoples of the said two nations hope to expunge it. They arent wealthy but healthy in their thought of living together. They hope to enjoy all these things jocosely living unitedly in jocund company. Therefore, when the time comes or the season of puja or festivals sets into motion, the hearts of the aforesaid populaces of above both the nations start to jump in joy with the thought that they would be able to enjoy all these pujas and festivals again in a body and in connection with this, the above peoples of both sides can see or meet their dear and near ones and can exchange their news, which are imbedded weal and woe. So, with the hopes in heart, like every year, the above populaces of said two states get up early in the morning and appear beside the said IBWBF to offer pujas and to meet their relatives, friends or so. It is true that this system or method (that is, IBWBF) too have led some people to live a life like foreigners. But, in spite of this, by heart the people of two countries are cherishing the theory of one people and one nation. Their hearts ache and ache for reunion. At least for once in a year and for this reason, one intends to meet other, when the seasons of festivals are in motion. This needed nothing but an opportunity and this is but the union fair, where people of the two countries may united to exchange their words of amity and anxieties and this is why, they get up early in the morning and appeared beside the IBWBF, which divides the people into two nations, said the residents of IBV, Gormoholi of Malda district. Seventy-plus-years-old Renubala (the inhabitant of IBV, Baliadighi of Chapai Nababganj district of Bangladesh) is one of them. She is found with her others neighbourers with a full of basket of flowers and Prosad (that is, food offered to a God and Goddess or leavings of food tasted by a superior) just near the IBWBF to offer or perform puja to Goddess Kali. Similarly, her daughter Alaka, who gets herself married at IBV Mahodipur also, came just near the place of Smashan Kali Mandir (that is, Goddess Kali temple at crematorium) that situated adjacent to the IBWBF. Alaka has come after one long year with a hope that she could be mange to meet her mother. But, all turned fruitless, neither mother nor daughter met each other. This Milan Mela (that is, union fair) of Gormoholi village is indeed the oldest one. Further, it has its own history. It takes place after the day of Kalipuja (that is, to worship or adorning ceremony of the Goddess Kali). It is at this time, people of two Bengal (that is, East Bengal and West Bengal. The earlier name of Bangladesh was East Bengal, while the West Bengal is the state of India)s get together and assemble at said Gormoholi village fair. Both sides share their weal and woe with love, respect and intimacy during in this particular festival, mentioned Partho Protim Das, a local journalist of Malda district. It is fact that Kalipuja is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu community, while on the other hand, Diwali is a national festival of India. But, at Gormoholi, it takes place in no other place but in its Smashan Ghat (that is, Burning place or crematorium or cremation-ground) for last 169-numbers of year (that is, around two hundreds years). After the Partition of 1971 between the East Pakistan (which was known as East Bengal [that is, locally called Purbo Bango or Purbo Bangla, which later renamed as East Pakistan or locally called Purbo Pakistan [of West Pakistan, known as Poshchim Pakistan] of present Pakistan State and then present Bangladesh after 16th December, 1971) and India, the place for performing Kalipuja is still there. Though, the original alter of the above goddess Kali is placed outside of the said IBWBF, but today it is fallen inside the abovementioned IBWBF. Presently, the exact Mandir (that is, Temple) of goddess Kali is placed under a Bot Gachh (that is, Banyan Tree) and a rivulet, Mora Bhagirathi, locally also called Pagla Nadi (that is, River), which is tributary of Bhagirathi river of the Malda district, is flowing just adjacent to it (that is, around 15-metres to 20metres away from the Indian International Border Out Post [IBOP], Ludhia), said Samir Ghosh, secretary of Mahodipur Samshan Kali Puja Committee (MSKPC), who is one of the most important initiators of the said pujacum-fair of IBV-Gormoholi.

On the other hand, Kashinath Ghosh, the priest-cum-president of the MSKPC stated, Before the erection of IBWBF, peoples of the two countries come to this particular Pujasthal (that is, where the above particular puja is usually celebrated) to worship the said goddess. But, after the erection of IBWB, the place for performing Kali puja falls or observes inside of the aforesaid IBWBF (that is, Indian side). But, it doesnt put any hindrance for performing the particular puja of the two lands and the natives of the others adjacent Bangladeshi hamlets. International Border Guard (IBG)s posted there extend their hands to help both side peoples to perform the above-noted puja and enjoy it smoothly, nicely and amicably. In this way, instead of creating any dissociation, the peoples of the two lands meet together and enjoy the festival in a body. Sankar Saha, the resident of IBV-Shialmara of Chapai Nababganj district of Bangladesh, who came here to perform the said puja and wanted to enjoy the festival revealed, This fair is one of the oldest fairs of this area or region. It has been taking place here for last 169-numbers of year with care and luster. The fair is generally takes place near the Samshan Ghat, which is situated beyond the IBWBF (that is, in Bangladesh side). But, today it is arranged in inside the IBWBF (that is, Indian side). The dwellers of this particular place used to enjoy the fair as well as the Kali Puja festival in presence of the frontier IBGs Border Security Force of India (BSFI) and its counter part Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which has been renamed as Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB). The Hindu devotees, specially, from Bangladesh come and remain standing behind the IBWBF since the early morning to the sunset to offer the above puja. The Bangladeshi Hindu devotees have to satisfy themselves by handing over the Ful (that is, Flower) and prosad to worship the Goddess Kalimata (Mother Kali) to the BSFI soldiers with their names and packets. Meanwhile, both side peoples usually meet their family members and share each others thoughts. But, when the sun begins to descend beyond the horizon and the above puja is over or get completed, the BSFI soldiers (specially) return all puja related belongings to the respective Bangladeshi Hindu devotees, who are fretfully waiting behind the said fence. After that the peoples of both sides separate from each other for a year (that is, with the hope to meet again for next year) and return to their respective shelters, with others neighbourers or associates. However, at present it is fact that the Indians and the Bangladeshis neither any festival nor to meet each other properly after the erection of the IBWBF and for some anti-social elements, who want to take undue advantages from it and the fair turns into a forlorn one for this aforesaid so-called fencing-system and as a result of this, the above-noted happy gathering nipped into bud. In a word, due to strong restrictions to participate in the aforesaid puja festival as well as in the fair also, the erection of IBWBF (which has got completed) and the Jawan (that is, soldier)s of BSFI, whore posted at this particular fair areas to guard and to patrol the area round-the-clock, the entrance of Bangladeshi (Hindu) peoples virtually has stopped and thus they are not only deprived from their prayer but also to offer and receive prosad of goddess Kali. Even, it also prevent them from their dearer and relatives and to obtain each others blessings. As a result of this, the charm and charisma of the fair have started to get submerged. Specially, in this particular puja-cum-fair, the women along with their guardians and others relatives would come to assemble from IBVs of Bangladesh Boliadighi, Chakpara, Firozepur, Shona Mashjid, Kanshat, Shivganj and its adjoining areas Shialmara, Krishnapur, Bolia, Darbarpur, Chowdala, Chakla of Chapai Nababganj district of Bangladesh, as well as the opposite side IBVs of India Gormoholi, Mini Sultanpur, Sahilpur, Kadamtala, Akandobaria, Mahodipur and its adjacent places of Malda district of Indian State, West Bengal. But, it is fact that apart from IBWBF, even the frontier security forces of the said two nations BSFI and BGB, would always prevent both the peoples from meeting each other and sharing their weal and woe. The BDR takes special interests for flinging obstacles in the works of exchanging of their own people (that is, specially Hindu community peoples of IBVs of Bangladesh)s thoughts and union during this Kali Puja festival, alleged Jagannath Saha, who is the resident of above Boliadighi hamlet. This puja-cum-fair was earlier observed not far from our BGB camp or IBOP Shona Mashjid, where 39Battalion (BN) of BGB now posted. But, after the erection of IBWBF in the year, 2005 by the Government of India, it has been celebrated near our counter part (that is, Indian side) IBOP-Ludhia under Mahodipur Company headquarter of BSFI, which is placed exactly near International Border Pillar Number (IBPN)-184/S. It is fact that earlier, in each time of the year, the BGB and BSFI use to issue numbers of special (temporary) pass for us, which have allowed us to get entry into Indian territory or main land for paying visit to the aforementioned Smashan Kali temple, to offer puja and enjoy the festival. But, when in this occasion, the gathering becomes high, the above two forces never issued any said pass. Notwithstanding that, presently the behaviour and the attitude of the said forces have gone changed totally, blamed Fitu Sheikh, dweller of IBV, Shona Mashjid of Bangladesh. Actually, in the year, 2008, there was a hue and cry in connection with an untoward incident that took place during this Kalipuja festival, which disturbed the peace and tranquility of the place. It happened, when our one of the Bangladeshi citizen entered into the premises of the festival ground along with some fake Indian currencies with a view to exchange the same with the or instead of the original Indian currencies. But, in vain, he couldnt escape. He was caught red-handed by the BSFI jawan and who then sent him to the Indian West Bengal State Police (IWBSP) custody and subsequently, he was then put under arrested and jailed.

It is fact that this particular unfortunate incident spoiled the image and atmosphere of the said festival and as a result of that later the above festival was shifted to the inside of the above IBWBF (that is, Indian side). This put the people living in our part of the IBWBF (that is, Bangladesh side) in trouble and they couldnt take part in it properly and freely. However, last year (that is, in the year-2008), a little relief was extended to the people of our part of IBWBF and as a result of this, many of them got an opportunity to offer the aforesaid prayer or puja or sacrifice having been crossing the IBWBF. Among the villagers, who had already availed the opportunity of the said festival were our neighbourers Akhil Mandol, Nibaron Sarkar, Minoti Saha and many others. But, this year nothing could be done because of the rigidity of the rules of the BSFI, enlightened Intekal Ali, resident of Shona Mashjid under Shivganj Police Station (PS) of Bangladesh on 16th October, 2009. Supporting the fact, Abdul Gaffur, the company commandant of 39-BN of BGB IBOP or camp of Shona Mashjid of Bangladesh, which lies on India-Bangladesh International Border told, It is fact that on that year a very small incident was occurred but I dont think so, it had hampered our relation in both side populaces. About 04-numbers to 05-numbers our frontier guard or soldier always keeps watch on the aforesaid puja-cum-fair strictly. Even if, the organisers of the said Kali pujacum-fair festival committee of Mahadipur are very helpful, yet we have helped both side peoples on that particular puja-cum-fair, like every year. But, surprisingly, a section of the peoples of both sides denied the fact and claimed, It is true that this particular international boundary is detected or branded as a Corridor of Fake Currency, but at the same time, it is totally false and incorrect that on that particular day of Kali Puja festival above revealed incident was happened. It is a pre-plan conspiracy of a circle, who somehow wants to close this particular puja-cum-union-fair festival for their vested interests and nothing else. Though, the IBWBF has separated them from one another, but cannot snatch away the by heart relations, affections and friendships of the both side populaces. They would often (especially, during any festivals or ceremonies) get assembled and exchange their thoughts, views and ideas with love, respect and friendship, expressed local retired teacher-cum-scholar, Nilima Chatterjee of Malda district. Look, Sufol Haldar is the caretaker of the said Kali puja, but, interesting fact is that generally Brahmin (a cast of Hindu community) priest is required to perform Kalipuja. But, no such Brahmin priest is needed here to perform the same at Mahodipur Smashan Kali Madir (that is, Temple). It is done by the members of the Ghosh community (that is, a Bengali Hindu community, who bears the title Ghosh and belongs in the non-Brahmin cast) of the Mahodipur. Further, here, Murti (that is, Idol) of the goddess Kali is seen form of a mound-of-clay, informed Joyrajesh Singh, who lives at Mahodipur and has given marriage his sister Mamata Chowdhury with a groom of Bangladesh at Kansat village of Chapai Nababganj district of Bangladesh. Like Renubala Saha and her daughter, Alaka Saha, who is given in marriage with a groom of India remain present every year during this particular time, when the above puja takes place. Like, Renubala Saha, the dwellers of the others Bangladeshi Hindu devotees always come to this particular temple, which is situated near cremation-ground to offer their puja and to meet their near and dear ones. In this context, Renubala Saha, who used to come here with other villagers to meet her daughter, said, The goddesses Kali of Mahodipur is a live deity. It was because of her blessings, I got relived from the pain of my knee and this is why, its very important on her part to offer this puja to the deity. Supporting the fact, another woman, Shanti Saha, who is the native of above Boalia village of Bangladesh, requested the BSFI soldiers off and on to give an opportunity to give shape to her craving and for this, she had been standing beside the IBWBF since morning, uttered angrily, Tara amare jaitei dilo na oipare. Kato asha niya aisilam, puja dekhum ar mayer charane ful dimu ar amar maiyar loge katha kamu..ta ar hoilo na.. (that is, all turn fruitless..BSFI soldiers not allow me to go and worship the goddess Kali as well as to see and to talk to my daughter..). We have to take their heels back with tears rolling down in their eyes. It is only at this Diwali festival, where we generally somehow mange to see a glimpse of our near and dear only, expressed Sandhya Saha, who is the native of IBV-Mahodipur also had to satisfy herself with a peep to her sister Minati Saha (who lives at Shivganj village of Chapai Nababganj district of Bangladesh, with her in laws), through the IBWBF. Similarly, another neighbour of Aloka Devi, who is the resident of Bangladeshs Chapai Nababganj district emitted a great sigh and told, I could neither touch the feet of the Mother Kali nor offer my prayer. My other neighbourers of Shahapur village also expressed their similar disappointment by saying that they couldnt meet their near and dear ones. But, in this context, one of the BSFI officials, who had posted at Mahadipur IBOP at the above international border emphasized, Please realize our position. We know the situation and admit it, but cannot do anymore. Were bound to do all as per the instructions of the higher authority. Furthermore, it is our solemn duty to protect our homeland from the hands of all types of miscreants and certainly from illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, smugglers, Pan-Islamic religious fundamental groups, militants and others anti-national and antisocial activists, whore ready to soil our name and fame. It is true fact that as per old practice or tradition, whatsoever the inhabitants of both the places India and Bangladesh have a habit of getting themselves together and exchanging thoughts and transpose of life and living with one another. But, their hopes are dashed to the ground due to the erection of IBWBF. As a result of

this, the natives of both the neighbouring states cannot meet or get together properly. Thus, this IBWBF stands as a barrier in the way of the union of the peoples of the said two lands, felt, who went to the said festival ground to participate in the above-noted puja-cum-fair. Thus, hearing this, Minati Saha, Mamata Chowdhury, Renubala Saha and others, who are the natives of India and Bangladesh now have plunged into the ocean of disappointment and are forced to take their heels back.

(Author is former BBC, The Statesman, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Telegraph, Asia Times, AP, AFP & PTI Contributor-cum-Photographer of Northeast India /The writer specialises in South Asia & Indian Northeast States region Affairs)

References : 01. Front Page Bharat Bangladesh Simantat Bangladeshir Dwara Kalimurtir Sirashhed by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, Purbachal (G. L. P. Publication), dated 10th November, 1992. 02. Front Page Divided By Circumstance by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, The Statesman (North Bengal Plus Page) Dated 21st October, 2011. 03. Front Page A Mela That Binds by Shib Shankar Chatterjee, The Statesman (North Bengal Extra Page) dated 06th March, 2010.